TicketsCINCINNATI - Aaron Bienenfeld, a junior on the University of Cincinnati cross country team, has earned recognition as a 2018 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Individual for cross country, it was announced today. Along with Bienenfeld, who raced at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November and placed 111th in his NCAA debut, both Bearcats teams were honored as USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams for their academic efforts during the season.
// BIENENFELD'S HONOR
The first individual recipient of the national academic honor since Kevin Fink in 2015, Bienenfeld collected his first national accolade after a season in which he shined brightly for the Bearcats. The first UC man to qualify for the national race since 2011 and just the fifth all-time, Bienenfeld placed 12th in the NCAA Great Lakes Region race after placing third at the AAC Championships.
He is currently competing in the 2019 indoor track & field season where he has posted personal-best times in a trio of events, including resetting his own school record in the 5,000m run with a time of 14:08.81. He also has posted the #2 3,000m time (8:14.21) and the #6 mile time (4:10.12) this season.
// TEAM HONORS
Additionally, both Bearcats teams were recognized for their efforts in the classroom as well as each was named a 2018 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. The men, led by Sam Burroughs, posted a collective 3.47 grade-point average during the season while Lara Crofford's women recorded an overall GPA of 3.40. To be eligible for the team award, a squad must carry a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher during the season.
// TEAM HISTORY
This year's honor for the men marks the 13th year in a row the Bearcats have earned recognition from the USTFCCCA, streak that dates back to the 2006 season. In that same time, the women have earned 11 honors, including the past five years with only the 2012 and 2013 seasons seeing the women not make the list.
// NEXT UP
Several members of the track & field team will venture to Columbus Friday afternoon to compete in Ohio State's Buckeye Tune-up. That meet will serve as the final competition for the Bearcats before they head to Birmingham, Ala., next week to participate in the 2019 AAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
// BIENENFELD'S HONOR
The first individual recipient of the national academic honor since Kevin Fink in 2015, Bienenfeld collected his first national accolade after a season in which he shined brightly for the Bearcats. The first UC man to qualify for the national race since 2011 and just the fifth all-time, Bienenfeld placed 12th in the NCAA Great Lakes Region race after placing third at the AAC Championships.
He is currently competing in the 2019 indoor track & field season where he has posted personal-best times in a trio of events, including resetting his own school record in the 5,000m run with a time of 14:08.81. He also has posted the #2 3,000m time (8:14.21) and the #6 mile time (4:10.12) this season.
// TEAM HONORS
Additionally, both Bearcats teams were recognized for their efforts in the classroom as well as each was named a 2018 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. The men, led by Sam Burroughs, posted a collective 3.47 grade-point average during the season while Lara Crofford's women recorded an overall GPA of 3.40. To be eligible for the team award, a squad must carry a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher during the season.
// TEAM HISTORY
This year's honor for the men marks the 13th year in a row the Bearcats have earned recognition from the USTFCCCA, streak that dates back to the 2006 season. In that same time, the women have earned 11 honors, including the past five years with only the 2012 and 2013 seasons seeing the women not make the list.
// NEXT UP
Several members of the track & field team will venture to Columbus Friday afternoon to compete in Ohio State's Buckeye Tune-up. That meet will serve as the final competition for the Bearcats before they head to Birmingham, Ala., next week to participate in the 2019 AAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.