March 6, 2010

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova University's women's cross country team was named the 2009 NCAA Division I USTFCCCA Women's Cross Country Scholar Team of the Year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Friday. The Scholar Team of the Year distinction goes to the program that earned All-Academic Team honors and placed the highest among the field at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.

The Wildcats won their eighth NCAA Women's Cross Country title in November, defeating runner-up Florida State 86-133. Head coach Gina Procaccio's squad also claimed the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region title and Big East crown in 2009. In addition, the squad members carried a 3.38 cumulative grade point average after the fall 2009 semester.

The Big East led all conferences with 13 squads mentioned as All-Academic recipients. The SEC and Big Ten each scored 10 teams on the honor roll.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Championship and also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative GPA.