Four Male and Six Female GLIAC Student Athletes Earn USTFCCCA All-American honors

Release courtesy of Tom Lewis, Communications Manager, USTFCCCA

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Monday the 80 student-athletes that received All-America honors for the 2012 NCAA Division II Cross Country season. Overall finish at the NCAA Championships is the determining factor as the top 40 individuals from both men's and women's races earn All-America plaudits from the USTFCCCA.

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Adams State's men and Grand Valley State's women were this year's national championship teams. For Adams State, it was their ninth overall men's cross country national crown, breaking the tie with 2011 champion Western State for most titles in division history. It was also the Grizzlies' fourth crown in five years for head coach Damon Martin. The GVSU women captured their second crown in three years under head coach Jerry Baltes.

All seven runners from Adams State earned All-America honors. Sophomore Kevin Batt placed as the race's runner-up, sophomore Tabor Stevens took third, and sophomore Matthew Daniels came fourth. Senior David Sanchez (12^th), sophomore John Luterbach (15^th), senior Andrew Roberts (25^th), and junior Jovanny Godinez (28^th) rounded out the Adams State squad.

Colorado Mines claimed five All-America nods and were followed by Alaska Anchorage with three.

The RMAC notched 14 of the 40 men's All-America nods and were followed by the Northeast-10, PSAC, GLIAC, and GNAC that claimed four apiece.

On the women's side, Adams State and Augustana (S.D.) each placed four within the top 40 for All-America plaudits. Adams State was led by individual champion Alicia Nelson. She was followed in by Kelly Lamb (13^th), Lauren Martin (38^th), and Alyssa Selve (39^th). Augustana was led by eighth-place finisher Runa Falch. Kristin Brondbo, Leah Black, and Kyle Blakeslee finished tenth, 11^th, and 40^th, respectively.

The NSIC and RMAC tied with eight All-America honors apiece to lead the nation's conferences. The GLIAC (6) and PSAC (4) followed.

On Tuesday, Division II's National Athletes and Coaches of the Year will be named.