May 17, 2005

Bethlehem, PA - The women's cross country program was named to the 2004 Division I Women's Intercollegiate Cross Country Coaches Association (WICCCA) Academic All-American team. Out of 103 schools that received this distinction, Lehigh ranked higher than school's like Cornell, Drake, and the United States Military Academy. In addition, sophomore Jen Schappert received individual distinction as she was one of only 47 individuals who received Academic All-American accolades. Schappert, who carries a GPA of 3.90 in the classroom, was the only Patriot League representative and international relations major - in all of Division I - to receive this award.

To be eligible for the team award, there are a few criteria that must be met. First, everyone on the team who has used a season of eligibility, for the academic year, must be listed. Second, after the 2004 fall term, each athlete's cumulative grade point (CGPA) average is listed. Next, the team must have competed at the regional qualifying meet, and five runners had to finish. Finally, any team with a 3.0 TEAM average will receive "All-Academic Cross Country Team" honors. Lehigh's team GPA was a 3.163 for the 2004 fall semester.