NEW ORLEANS – Baldwin Wallace University men's and women's cross-country team have earned United States Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division III All-Academic Teams. Senior All-Ohio Athletic Conference and Academic All-OAC performer Alyssa Laughner (Howard, Pa./Central Mountain) and Freshman All-Ohio Athletic Conference runner Hope Murphy (Mogadore) were named USTFCCCA Women's All-Academic Athletes.

Teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.1 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, among other qualifications, to be considered for All-Academic honors.

The women's team were in the top 30 teams that qualified. The women's team had a GPA of 3.735. The men's team were in the top 75 teams that were able to qualify. The men's team had a GPA of 3.518.

"Our group did a great job this past semester. Every year we set academically goals during our team camp." said Coordinator of Cross Country and Track and Field and Head Cross Country Coach Joe Eby. " This year both the men and women had the highest GPA in my time here. Awesome to see their hard work in the classroom pay off."

Both Murphy and Laughner qualified for the USTFCCCA Women's All-Academic Athlete. Laughner was recognized as a neuroscience major and Murphy as an education major.

"They consistently do a great job on the course and in the classroom." Eby emphasized. "They represent this school at a high level in everything they do."

To be eligible for this distinction, individuals must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and have finished in the top 25 percent of their respective regional championship meet.

The cross-country teams being current members of the BW track and field team, Murphy, Laughner and the rest of the Yellow Jackets are back in action on Friday, Feb. 3rd, at the Oberlin College BSN Invitational, hosted by Oberlin College inside John W. Heisman Field House.