FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
USTFCCCA All-Academic Team

Feb. 23, 2010-- North Central College women's cross country runners Lauren Hooks and Amanda Laesch were both honored by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Thursday, earning a spot on the All-Academic Team for their success both on the course and in the classroom.

Hooks and Laesch both qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships as individuals, finishing back-to-back in 19th and 20th places at the Midwest Regional on Nov. 14. Laesch would go on to place 94th at the national meet held at the Highland Park Golf Course in Cleveland, Ohio on Nov. 21, while Hooks finished 173rd. Both athletes earned All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin accolades at the conference meet and were additionally named Academic All-CCIW. This is the third time Laesch has been honored as USTFCCCA All-Academic in her career, the senior earned the distinction in both 2006 and 2008.

The USTFCCCA All-Academic award honors those student-athletes who have succeeded both academically and athletically. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.3 cumulative grade point average and must finish in the top 35 among the field at their respective NCAA regional meet. In total, 188 individuals from 92 institutions were honored, including six from the CCIW. Illinois Wesleyan University had two individuals honored while Elmhurst College and Wheaton College had one each.

The Cardinals closed out their 2009 campaign by winning the CCIW Championship for the first time since 2006 before placing fifth at the NCAA Midwest Regional.