Falcons garner All-Academic honors
Concordia Wisconsin track & field student-athletes Andy Ashenden and Samantha Gries have been named to the 2011 Division III U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team, while the Falcons' women's team garnered All-Academic Team honors.
Ashenden (Grafton, Wis.) was named Northern Athletics Conference Indoor and Outdoor Men’s Track Athlete of the Meet at the 2011 Championships. Overall, he captured seven first place victories during the NAC Track & Field Championships – four indoor and three outdoor. Ashenden’s most impressive performance was during Indoor 3,000 Meter Run when he finished nearly 13 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.
Gries (Cedarburg, Wis.) was named Northern Athletics Conference Indoor and Outdoor Women’s Track Athlete of the Meet at the Championships. Overall, she took home six first place finishes and during the NAC Track & Field Championships – three indoor and three outdoor. Gries dominated the field during the Outdoor 5,000 Meter Run (18:08.70) when she finished 57 seconds in front of her nearest competitor. Also, during the Outdoor Meet she broke the NAC records in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase, 5,000 Meter Run, and 10,000 Meter Run.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track & Field Team, a student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 and have met an NCAA automatic or provisional qualifying marks in an individual or relay event. Participation in an NCAA Championship also fulfills the athletic component of All-Academic qualification.
USTFCCCA also announced the women’s 2011 Division III All-Academic Track & Field Teams. A total of 111 institutions earned the distinction as a result of a cumulative team GPA of 3.1 or better.
