Lakers repeat as scholar team of year

The NCAA Division II Cross Country Champion women of Grand Valley State University have been named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II Scholar Team of the Year for the second consecutive season.

GVSU was the highest-finishing team at the NCAAs to earn All-Academic Team honors. Teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and score at a regional meet to be eligible for the award.

Adams State University took home the honor on the men’s side while its women’s team finished as the runner-up with 91 points.

The Laker women had a winning score of 54 points (3.32 cumulative GPA), and all five of their scoring runners earned All-American plaudits. Senior Courtney Brewis and sophomores Jessica Janecke and Jordan Chester also earned All-Academic honors individually.

The team has won the award three times in the past four seasons along with a trio of national titles.