Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cross Country Team Chosen Academic All-America
January 28, 2000 | Cowboy Cross Country & Track
Jan. 28, 2000
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's men's cross country team was named an Academic All-America Team by the United States Cross Country Coaches Association for the second consecutive year.
The Cowboys were named an honor team this year because of their combined 3.29 grade point average. Teams need a 3.25 to be named an Academic All-America Team with honors.
For the 1999 season, OSU had a squad full of freshmen and sophomores and only two seniors. Despite this, the team was able to finish second at the Big 12 Championships, third at the District V Championships and 16th at the NCAA Championships.
"They've done an outstanding job," OSU coach Dick Weis said. "They represent the true student-athlete in every aspect. We finished 16th at the NCAA Championships and then to get this award, especially with honors, it's special."
The team consists of Mike Cliff, David Greenshields, Ben Lake, Jerry Rainey, Gregory Rouault, Ben Sigle, Chuck Sloan, Staffan Stegmark, Derek Tate, Trey Vernon, Junior Vasquez and Bruce Wright. Vernon led the team with a 4.0 GPA.
The Cowboys did not have anyone named individual Academic All-America Team members by this committee. A cross country athlete still can be named to the GTE Academic All-America At-Large Team later this semester.
For the 1998 cross country season, OSU tied with Marquette, Vanderbilt and Furman for the 19th-best GPA overall. Thirteen Cowboys combined for the 3.17 average. Arkansas was the No. 1 school with a 3.41 GPA. OSU was one of three Big 12 schools winning team honors. Colorado (9th, 3.32) and Iowa State (10th, 3.26) were the other two.
