Landmark Track Programs Claim Academic Honors

MADISON, N.J. - Three Landmark Conference track & field student-athletes and two women's track & field programs have all earned recognition for academic achievement from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Susquehanna University senior Mike Marr and Moravian College senior Nathaniel Tussey were named to the 2008 USTFCCCA Men’s Division III All-Academic Track and Field Team, and freshman Alycia Woodruff were named to the 2008 USTFCCCA Women’s Division III All-Academic Track and Field Teams. In addition, the Susquehanna and Goucher College women's track & field teams were named to the 2008 USTFCCCA Women’s Division III All-Academic Track and Field Teams.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met the NCAA Division III Indoor or Outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard in their respective event.

Marr finished ninth in the high jump at the 2008 NCAA Division III Championships in May. He finished his Susquehanna career as the 36th All-American in the University's men's track & field history, after finishing sixth in 2007, while being the only Crusader ever recognized as All-American in the high jump. He won the high jump at the 2008 Landmark Conference outdoor championships while also taking second in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump. He also earned the Landmark Conference Senior Scholar-Athlete Award in men's indoor track and a NCAA postgraduate scholarship.

Tussey, a hurdler and sprinter, was a two-time All-American at this year’s NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships with a fifth place finish in the 110-meter high hurdles in a time of 14.50 seconds and a fifth place finish in the 400-meter hurdles in a school record time of 52.01 seconds. Tussey is a three-time All-American who has one outdoor season of eligibility remaining. Tussey was Moravian’s male 2008 Robbins ECAC Scholar-Athlete and he was also named the school’s Senior Male Blue & Grey Scholar-Athlete. Tussey, who was the Landmark Conference Senior Scholar-Athlete for Men’s Outdoor Track & Field, has a 3.47 grade point average, and he is majoring in biology.

Woodruff was the 2008 Landmark Conference Women's Rookie of the Year at both the indoor and outdoor track championships. At the outdoor meet, she took home two gold medals and a bronze, while at the indoor meet she won three events. The women's team took second place at both championships.

Susquehanna and Goucher were both recognized for their academic work as teams. The selection of the All-Academic Indoor and Outdoor Scholar Teams of the Year award is based on a combination of academic and athletic achievements, with the top honor going to the team that had the combination of best overall finish at the Division III Indoor and/or Outdoor National Championships and cumulative GPA. To be nominated, the team must carry a minimum 3.000 cumulative grade-point average.