NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the 2021 NCAA Division II All-Academic Teams and All-Academic Athletes on Friday morning, honoring both the Lees-McRae men's and women's cross country teams, under head coach
Ley Fletcher, along with junior
Deanna Betzer and freshmen
Max Geckler and
Ian Kelbert, who all garnered individual academic honors.
In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and compile a team score at their respective regional championship meet. On the other hand, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-30 percent of their respective regional championship meet. For the full list of All-Academic Teams and All-Academic Athletes, click
HERE.
The Lees-McRae women's cross country achieved a 3.74 GPA during the Fall 2021 semester to become one of the 111 different program to achieve the academic honor, while the men's cross country posted a 3.34 GPA during the semester to become one of the 98 different programs to be named an All-Academic Team.
Betzer, a junior wildlife biology major, finished 13th at the Conference Carolinas Championships to garner All-Conference Carolinas Second Team honors and ran the third-fastest 5K in program history during the Fall 2021 semester. Geckler, a freshman English major, finished sixth at the Conference Carolinas Championships to be named to the All-Conference Carolinas First Team and broke the Lees-McRae program record in the 8K at the Royals XC Challenge on Oct. 8. Kelbert, a freshman nursing major, was named to the All-Conference Carolinas Second Team after finishing eighth at the championship meet, while also breaking the Lees-McRae school record in the 8K at the Royals XC Challenge alongside Geckler.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
