CINCINNATI - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its annual academic awards for the 2019 track & field season with both University of Cincinnati programs well represented once again this year as both teams and 19 individual Bearcats received USTFCCCA All-Academic recognition. The Association honored 13 women and six men with individual accolades while both the men's and women's programs attained high enough grade-point averages to garner their awards.
Overall, the USTFCCCA honored 1,485 NCAA Division I student-athletes this year, including 902 women and 583 men. From a team standpoint, the Bearcats accounted for two of the 366 squads recognized, a grouping that included 227 women's teams and 139 men's teams making the grade.
While a team needed to carry a 3.00 GPA or better to be recognized this year, individuals had to maintain a 3.25 GPA or better while also meeting one of the following athletic standards as well:
• finish the regular season ranked in the Top 96 nationally in an individual event (Top 48 in a relay) during the indoor season OR
• have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Championships (Preliminary or Finals) during the outdoor season
// TEAM HONORS
Both Bearcats teams were honored this year, marking the sixth year in a row each has earned distinction from the USTFCCCA. The women posted a cumulative GPA of 3.52 this year while the men were just behind them with a 3.42 GPA.
// INDIVIDUALS • WOMEN
Thirteen women were honored this year as each maintained at least a 3.25 GPA and also met one of the athletic components. Leading the way for UC were a pair of multiple-time All-Americans in Loretta Blaut and Annette Echikunwoke, both of whom completed their UC careers this past season. Blaut finished third at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the high jump for her sixth career USTFCCCA All-America certificate while Echikunwoke was the first UC woman to reach the NCAA Outdoor Finals in two individual events where she was ninth in the shot put to earn her fifth All-America award. Fellow seniors Haisha Bisiolu, Sadie Brass and Leah Heckaman also earned honors in their final collegiate seasons. Three freshmen made the mark, including Faith Banks, Malin Smith and Sydney Spears, and were joined by returning Bearcats Angelica Lightfoot, Kennedy Marable, Irati Mitxelena, Allie Plybon and Katie Straus.
// INDIVIDUALS • MEN
Aaron Bienenfeld led the way for the UC men as he capped another impressive season in Cincinnati with an academic honor. Bienenfeld earned AAC All-Conference honors in all five conference events he ran, including cross country, the 3,000m and 5,000m indoors and both the 5,000m and 10,000m outdoors while also defending his 10,000m crown. The 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championships qualifier, Bienenfeld recently represented his native Germany at the European U23 Championships, placing 15th in the 10,000m run. Seniors Andrew Schille and Michael Vitucci also were honored along with a trio of newcomers in freshman Chris Borzor and transfers Damien Berthenet and Arthur Greenlee.
// COMING UP
The 2019 cross country season is right around the corner with the Bearcats set to open their campaign August 31 at the 38th Queen City Invitational hosted by Northern Kentucky in Highland Heights, Ky.
// 2019 USTFCCCA All-Academic Awards
Teams
Cincinnati Women (3.52 GPA)
Cincinnati Men (3.42 GPA)
Individuals
Men: Damien Berthenet, Aaron Bienenfeld, Chris Borzor, Arthur Greenlee, Andrew Schille, Michael Vitucci
Women: Faith Banks, Haisha Bisiolu, Loretta Blaut, Sadie Brass, Annette Echikunwoke, Leah Heckaman, Angelica Lightfoot, Kennedy Marable, Irati Mitxelena, Allie Plybon, Malin Smith, Sydney Spears, Katie Straus
Both Teams, 19 Bearcats Earn USTFCCCA All-Academic
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its annual academic awards for the 2019 track & field season with both University of Cincinnati programs well represented once again this year as both teams and 19 individual Bearcats received USTFCCCA All-Academic recognition. The Association honored 13 women and six men with individual accolades while both the men's and women's programs attained high enough grade-point averages to garner their awards.
