Ernst Earns All-Academic Honors;

Women Earn All-Academic Team Award

Feb. 27, 2008

Falcon cross country runner Chad Ernst (So., Richfield, Minn.) earned All-Academic honors from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The award honors those student-athletes who have succeeded both academically and athletically. To be eligible for the award a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and must finish in the top 25 percent of the field at their respective NCAA regional meet.

Ernst was the team's No. 1 runner this year. He placed 33rd at the 8,000-meter NCAA Midwest Regional finishing in 25:10.7. The time set a Falcon 8,000-meter record. It was his best time of the season by 41 seconds. He became the first Falcon men's cross country runner named to an All-Region cross country team. "Chad has improved his time by one minute from last season. He worked hard during the summer to do that. He has a great work ethic and is a gutsy runner," said Falcon Coach Keven Syverson.

The Falcon women's cross country team earned an All-Academic Team award from the USTFCCCA.

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 Meet. The team must also have a minimum 3.10 team cumulative grade point average.

The Falcons placed ninth of 37 teams in the Midwest Regional last November.