CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – For the third year in a row the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's and women's track & field teams were honored by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as an All-Academic team for their success during the 2015-16 season.
RELATED: USTFCCCA Release
Additionally, senior Philipp Baar and freshman Sashane Hanson were singled out as USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honorees for their achievements in the classroom as well as in competition.
For teams to earn the distinction from the USTFCCCA the squad must post an overall grade point average of 3.00 or higher for the school year. The Islanders joined Incarnate Word as the only two programs in the Southland Conference with both men's and women's teams to receive the accolades.
The A&M-Corpus Christi men's team posted a team GPA of 3.14 to be included in the list of 122 programs. On the women's side, the Islanders held an overall GPA of 3.07 and were among 220 to earn the distinction.
To garner the recognition on the individual side, student-athletes must hold a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above and meet one of the two athletic standards listed below;
- For the indoor season, a student-athlete must have finished the regular season ranked in the national top 96 in an individual event or ranked in the national top 48 (collective listing) in a relay event on the official NCAA POP list provided by TFRRS.org.
- For the outdoor season, a student-athlete must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Championship (including preliminary rounds).
Baar held a 3.71 cumulative GPA following the 2015-16 campaign. He qualified for the honor after qualifying for and participating in the NCAA West Preliminary of the 3,000m steeplechase in Lawrence, Kan.
Hanson, meanwhile, holds a 3.62 cumulative GPA after the conclusion of her freshman year on the Island. The high jumper earned the honor after ranking 70th in the nation in the event during the indoor season. Hanson recorded a season best of 1.76m/5-09.25 at the Texas A&M Invitational, which set a new school record.
This is one of many academic honors this season for Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Shawn Flanagan's program. The Islanders placed six student-athletes on the Southland Conference All-Academic team this June.
Baar, David Carrillo, Will Maraggia, Hannah McWilliams, Regina Salinas and Melina Ortiz were all recognized by the league for their performances in the classroom and in competition this season.
Additionally, a staggering 25 student-athletes form the men's and women's teams were named to the Southland's Commissioner's Honor Roll by earning a 3.0 GPA or better.
For the latest information on Islanders Track & Field, follow the teams on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersTFXC) and Facebook (/TAMUCCTFXC).
