MOBILE, Ala. - The University of South Alabama's men's cross country team has earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team honors for 2009. USA is one of four teams in the Sun Belt to make the grade.

"Success in the classroom is something that we stress. Obviously, we are very proud of our men's cross country team for their academic achievements," USA head coach Paul Brueske said.

For squads to be considered as an All-Academic team by the USTFCCCA, they must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher and compiled a team score after competing at an NCAA Regional Championship.

The Jaguars had the second-highest GPA in the league and was also seventh in the region overall.

USA finished second overall at the Sun Belt Conference cross country championship on Oct. 3 led by sophomore runner Zac Edwards with a first-place finish in the men's 8K run. The Jaguars went on to place seventh in the NCAA Regional Championship standings on Nov. 14 with Edwards and senior Micah Tirop qualifying for the NCAA national championships with a fifth and tenth place finish at the meet.

"We're definitely really excited that we're successful academically," USA distance coach Tim Goldsack said. "We don't want to be a team that just performs athletically. Our goal is to be great inside and outside of the classroom."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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