WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AMONG NATION'S ACADEMIC BEST

February 15, 2002

For the seventh consecutive year, the Northern State University women's cross country program has been recognized as an NCAA II Academic All-American Team by the United States Track Coaches Association (USTCA). NSU's women's team ended the 2001 season with a 3.42 team GPA.

The members of the 2001 cross country team: Kristin Peterson (Arlington, S.D.), Jackie Peterson (Arlington, S.D.), Liz Koenig (Fairfax, S.D.), Alyssa Siegfried (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Jessica Fox (Watertown, S.D.), Lisa Charboneau (Richland, Wash.), Jennie O'Doan (Martin, S.D.) and Kayla Garry (Garretson, S.D.).

NSU's women's cross-country and track and field teams are mainstays among the Division II academic elite. The women's track and field program has earned the USTCA academic honor in each of Northern's six full years under the NCAA II umbrella, and the cross-country program has also never missed earning the team academic award.

In addition, here is NSU's 2001 cross-country team and conference awards rundown:

Men:
Most Valuable Athlete: Delbert BlackBear
Most Improved Athlete: Randy Murphy
Outstanding Freshman: Dan McPartland
NSIC Academic all-Conference: Randy Murphy

Women:
Most Valuable Athlete: Kristin Peterson
Most Improved Athlete: Jackie Peterson
Outstanding Freshman: Jessica Fox
NSIC All-Conference: Kristin Peterson
NSIC Academic All-Conference: Kayla Garry, Liz Koenig, Jackie Peterson, Kristin Peterson

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