The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the teams and individuals who received the organization's All-Academic Awards, and the Seattle University men's and women's cross country teams, as well as redshirt senior Erik Barkhaus (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) on an individual basis, were among the honorees.
The Seattle U men's cross country team was one of 145 Division I programs to earn the All-Academic Award after posting a 3.46 grade point average during the fall 2012 quarter. The Redhawk men were one of four Western Athletic Conference teams to receive the honor, along with Idaho, New Mexico State, and conference champion UT Arlington.
The Seattle U women's cross country team joined 199 other Division I teams on the organization's All-Academic list with a cumulative grade point average of 3.585. Overall, three Western Athletic Conference teams made the list, with league champion Idaho and New Mexico State joining the Redhawks.
"The teams impressed me with their continued, increased focus both athletically and academically this fall. Not only did they take the full-fledged DI schedule in stride, they coupled that with a strong focus on their grades and ended up doing well at both," Seattle U head cross country coach Trisha Steidl said. "Looking at the list, I see schools missing that I would expect to be there. For this team to have such a great balance is terrific, and I believe this is just the start of what's to come in both realms."
Individually, Barkhaus, the Western Athletic Conference champion, was one of 67 male Division I student-athletes to earn USTFCCCA Division I All-Academic status. He earned the award thanks to a 15th-place finish at the NCAA West Regional meet as well as a 3.49 cumulative grade point average.
"Erik's accomplishment of placing so high at the West Regional meet - with the increased work, energy, and focus that entails - plus continuing to do well in the classroom puts him at a level that only 66 other DI guys have achieved. That's truly big time. That is something that shows how much one person can make happen if they are truly committed to what they are trying to accomplish. I hope what he has done helps show those who follow that they can make this happen, too," said Steidl.
In their first season in the Western Athletic Conference and as full NCAA Division I members eligible to compete in the regional meet, the Seattle University men's cross country team finished third at the WAC Championships and 16th at the NCAA West Regional, while the Redhawk women's cross country team finished sixth at the conference championships and 23rd at the regional meet.