NEW ORLEANS — For the second time in as many years under Director of Track and Cross Country Pat McCurry, the University of San Francisco men's and women's cross country squads were both honored as All-Academic teams by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, and the Dons had an individual – Aoibhe Richardson – earn All-Academic honors.
 
Richardson, who carried a 3.85 Grade Point Average in her public health master's program during the fall, became the Dons' first All-American since 2017 when she finished 19th at the NCAA National Championship in Indiana. That followed a fourth-place finish at the NCAA West Regional in Colfax, Wash. Richardson was the Dons' top runner all season long, grabbing two victories (Roy Griak Invitational, Sept. 28; Pre-National Invitational, Oct. 19) and five top-five finishes overall.
 
The women's team posted a 3.64 team GPA, the third-best in the department and among the top 20% of the 237 teams honored by the USTFCCCA. The Dons grabbed their fifth consecutive top-10 finish at the regional meet last fall and also had their fifth straight top-three finish at the West Coast Conference Championship.
 
The men's team posted a 3.60 GPA, best among all men's teams at USF, and among the top-10 GPAs honored by the USTFCCCA. It was a 16th straight top-five finish for the men at the WCC Championships last season, and a sixth consecutive top-15 finish at the NCAA West Regional.
 
With Thursday's awards, the Dons have now earned six consecutive team All-Academic awards from the USTFCCCA (four cross country, two track) during McCurry's tenure and have earned eight individual All-Academic awards (five men, three women).
 
"We've really prioritized academic performance within our program, and it's nice to see these accolades in recognition of the hard work our kids have put in," said McCurry.
 
A total of 428 teams (237 women, 191 men) and 283 individuals (166 women, 117 men) were named All-Academic by the USTFCCCA. In order to qualify for individual All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-25 (or 10 percent) at the NCAA Regional Championships or as an All-American at the NCAA Championships. In order to qualify for team All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period.