Cross Country teams earn USTFCCCA academic honors

2024 USTFCCCA ALL-ACADEMIC ATHLETES – MEN | WOMEN
2024 USTFCCA ALL-ACADEMIC TEAMS – MEN | WOMEN ROCHESTER, N.Y.

 – The RIT men's and women's cross country squads were recently named All-Academic Teams by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) while six Tigers – sophomores Kathryn Arbegast and Eva Reilly, from the women's team and graduate student Jeffrey Gibbs, juniors Derick Koen and Evan Owens, and first-year Brandon Blandino for the men - were tabbed All-Academic Athletes for the 2024 season.

Teams were recognized for accumulating at least a 3.1 cumulative grade point average, while individuals were honored for maintaining at least a 3.3 GPA and finishing in the top 25 percent of their respective NCAA Regional Championships.

The RIT women were one of 212 teams in the country recognized after compiling a 3.791 team grade point average, while the men were among 189 honored teams after totaling a 3.496 GPA.

After placing 14th at the Niagara Regional Championship meet, Koen earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III National Championships for the second consecutive season. Owens, Gibbs, and Blandino all helped the men's team take fifth place at the Niagara Regional Championship. For the women's side, Arbegast finished 21st as Reilly placed 38th to help the Tigers place eighth at the regional meet.