Bennwitz, Browne, and Williams Earn Academic Honors

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 4, 2009

New Orleans, La. – Three members of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse women's cross country team have been named to the 2008 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division III All-Academic Team.

Sophomore Kristina Bennwitz of Verona (H.S.) along with juniors Zoe Browne of Stevens Point (H.S.) and Katelyn Williams of Madison (West) were all selected to the team.

As a squad, UW-L was also selected to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team with a 3.31 grade point average.

All three student-athletes competed at the 2008 NCAA III Championships with Williams placing 44th, Bennwitz 171st and Browne 207th. Williams was the Eagles' top finisher. At the regional meet, Williams led UW-L with 10th overall finish while Bennwitz was 35th and Browne 52nd.

Williams earned All-WIAC First Team honors last season with a seventh-place finish while Bennitz was an honorable mention selection after placing 20th.

UW-L placed third at the WIAC Championships and second at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional last year. The Eagles were also eighth at the 2008 NCAA III Championships, their 13th top-six finish in school history, including eight in the top-four. UW-L has recorded top-20 finishes in all 25 years it has competed at the NCAA III Championships. The Eagels captured the 1983 national title.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at a NCAA regional meet. The team must also have a minimum 3.10 team cumulative grade point average.

For an individual to eligible for the award, a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average and finish in the top 25 percent of the field at an NCAA regional meet.