Jan. 21, 2004

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri's women's cross country team ended the fall 2003 semester with a total team term grade point average of 3.68, as announced today by Head Cross Country Coach Jared Wilmes and Head of the Track and Field/Cross Country Program at Missouri, Dr. Rick McGuire. For the women's track and field program at Missouri it marks the 26th consecutive team to be named as an Academic All-America Team. At this year's NCAA Championships, the women's cross country team finished 12th in the country, the team's best finish since 1984.

"This is the highest GPA I can remember for any team, for any semester here at the University of Missouri," said McGuire. "I'm so pleased with my kids; they've been able to show what intercollegiate athletics should be all about. Not only did they accomplish fantastic achievements while competing, they've also taken the steps necessary to be one of the smartest teams in the country."

According to Bryan Maggard, associate athletic director in charge of academic services, the women's cross country's GPA is the highest recorded from any team, any semester.

Sophomore Amanda Bales, who earned all-America honors at the NCAA Championships after her 23rd overall individual finish, and all-Midwest Region sophomore Serena Ramsey earned perfect 4.0 GPAs last semester. The other 13 members of the team landed spots on the dean's list after finishing the semester with a GPA of 3.5 or better. Bales, Ramsey, sophomore Valerie Lauver, and junior Jill Petersen were also named as Academic All-American for cross country in 2003.

The USTCA (United States Track Coaches Association) awards teams for their achievements in the classroom by naming teams as Academic All-America Teams. The Missouri women of track & field and cross country have gained their 26th consecutive team honor with the cross country team. The indoor track team scored a GPA of 3.38 with its 45 members averaging their scores, well on their way to the 27th team honor. No other team in the country has come close to the number of teams who have made the list, let alone qualify every team since the inception of the award in 1995.

Although cross country season is over, the indoor track team will continue its season this Friday with the 15th annual MU-KU-KSU Triangular. Competition begins at 4 p.m. in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse. The event is free of charge to spectators who bring a stuffed toy for the Ronald McDonald House Children's Hospital.