NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Mount Holyoke College cross country team garnered All-Academic Team status by the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Lyons were one of 393 teams, including 215 women's teams, who were honored for their efforts.
For a team to be considered for this honor, it must have competed, compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional meet, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.10.
The Lyons owned a cumulative GPA of 3.54 for the 2018 fall semester. Overall, eight NEWMAC women's teams were honored on this year's list including, WPI (3.78), Springfield (3.77), Smith (3.75), MIT (3.71), Mount Holyoke (3.54), Wellesley (3.43), Babson (3.19) and Coast Guard (3.19).
Overall, MHC had a number of strong performances during the 2018 season under the direction of head coach Chris Kibler. The Lyons competed in seven meets in the fall, finishing 17th or better at each meet. MHC opened the season with a third-place finish at the Fitchburg State Jim Sheehan Invitational, followed by runner-up at the Smith College Invite.
Following a ninth-place finish overall at the UMass Dartmouth Invite, the Lyons powered their way to third of 29 teams at the James Earley Invitational at Westfield State. After a fourth-place finish at the Seven Sisters Championship, MHC posted sixth at the NEWMAC Championship. The squad wrapped up the season at the NCAA Regional Championships in 17th of 57 teams.
Individually, sophomore Simone Jacob earned All-Seven Sisters Second Team honors after finishing 12th overall with a time of 23:53.7. She also took 19th at the Earley Invite, while also being the team's top finisher at NEWMAC's (17th) and Regionals (66th). Rookie Sydney Nash also made an impact in her first season, placing eighth at the Sheehan, seventh at Smith and 59th at UMass-Dartmouth.
Academically, seven student-athletes earned NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team recognition.
