ELON, N.C. – The Elon men’s and women’s cross country teams earned 2012 Division I All-Academic Cross Country status as announced by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA).
 
The women’s squad posted a team GPA of 3.44 while the men turned in a 3.11. Elon was one of six Southern Conference schools to have both the men’s and women’s programs selected joining Appalachian State, Chattanooga, Furman, UNCG, and Western Carolina.
 
Both the men’s and women’s teams had athletes that achieved excellence both on the course and in the classroom with 11 total members making the SoCon All-Academic teams in the fall. Ben Perron, Ari Rotschild and James Stevenson headlined the men’s squad while the women saw Haylee Dawe, Jenny Gallagher, Brennan McDavid, Christine Pacewicz, Amanda Parker, Kaitlin Stober, Ellie Taff and Emily Tryon get selected to the league’s all-academic list.
 
The women’s team finished as the runner-up at the SoCon Championships, just four points shy of the league crown. The maroon and gold concluded the year with its best finish ever at the Southeast Regional in 16^th place.
 
The men’s squad came in eighth place at the conference championships and was 23^rd overall at the regional meet.
 
To qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross Country Team, the team must have had a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better and have started at least five runners at their respective NCAA regional championship.