CINCINNATI - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced its annual recipients of academic awards for the 2019 cross country season with the University of Cincinnati program well represented once again, including the men's team who posted the second-best GPA of any men's team. Overall, the men's and women's teams both earned NCAA Division I Academic Honors while Aaron Bienenfeld was honored individually for the second year in row.
// TEAM AWARDS
Both the men's and women's teams were honored once again as both met the 3.00 GPA threshold for the 2019 season. The men, one of 191 teams to earn the accolade this year, ranked second among all teams honors nationally as coach Sam Burroughs' squad carried a 3.83 GPA during the season, surpassed only by Samford's 3.93 GPA. With the recognition, the Bearcats men have now collected the USTFCCCA academic accolade 14 years in a row.
The women also put together a solid academic semester as coach Lara Rogers (Crofford) team carried a 3.64 GPA. One of 237 women's teams across the nation to earn the accolade, the Bearcats were among the Top 50 overall as they earned their 12th all-time honor and sixth in a row from the USTFCCCA.
// HIGHLY DECORATED
Bienenfeld, a two-time individual honoree and one of 117 men to be recognized by the USTFCCCA this year, adds another feather to the impressive cap he wore in 2019 as the senior sported a perfect 4.00 GPA in the fall. But that wasn't all as the German was named both the USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Male and American Athletic Conference Male Runner of the Year. The champion in both races, including the first in program history as a member of the AAC, he was twice named the AAC Male Runner of the Week after his victories at the Rhodes and Pre-National events, which set him up for four wins in as many collegiate races. An automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships, Bienenfeld elected not to run the collegiate race so he could return to Germany that weekend to qualify for the national U23 team at the European Championships.
To be eligible for All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the Top 25 (or 10 percent) at the NCAA Regional Championships or as an All-American at the NCAA Championships.
// UP NEXT
The Bearcats are in the midst of their 2020 indoor season and will return to action this Friday and Saturday as they will take part in the Charlie Thomas Invitational hosted by Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.
XC Garners Academic Honors from USTFCCCA
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced its annual recipients of academic awards for the 2019 cross country season with the University of Cincinnati program well represented once again, including the men's team who posted the second-best GPA of any men's team.
