NSU Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams Garner Post-Season Awards

The Nova Southeastern University men's and women's cross country team received post-season honors this past week from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for their efforts on and off the course during the 2005 season.

With a team GPA of 3.34, the women's squad received Academic All-American Team status. Individually, four members of the women's team were joined by two from the men's squad in earning Academic All-American honors for their efforts in the classroom during the fall.

Freshman Bridget Haley (Alpharetta, Ga.) led all members of the women's squad with a Fall GPA of 3.88, while fellow teammate Courtney Clearwaters (Fr., Tampa, Fla.) finished the season with a 3.57. Sophomores Heather Sternau (Freeburg, Ill.) and Stefi Cevallos (Tampa, Fla.) rounded out the honorees from the women's team with GPA's of 3.54 and 3.52, respectively.

Freshmen Eskender Abdalla (Houston, Texas) led the men's team with a 3.32 GPA, while fellow teammate Robert Maughan (Fr., Miami, Fla.) finished the season with a 3.28.

"Each of these student-athletes has once again proven that their hard work on and off the course has not gone unnoticed," head coach Bruce McCrea said. "I am pleased to see each receive recognition for the contributions they have made and am very proud of our women's team for their commitment to excellence in the classroom."

The USTFCCCA bases the awards given on the individual's cumulative GPA and their placing in the NCAA Division II South Region.

The women's sensational 2005 season culminated with the program's second appearance in the NCAA Division II South Regional. During the season, the Lady Sharks posted five top-five finishes as a team and received its first-ever regional ranking, as they were slotted No. 8 in the South Region on October 3, 2005.

For the men, the 2005 season saw the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II South Regional, as well as three top-five and five top-10 finishes as a team.