Feb. 28, 2007

PITTSBURGH - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross County Coaches Association announced its Division I All-Academic team this week, and Pitt's men's and women's teams were recognized. This academic honor is awarded only to teams that compete in an NCAA regional meet and have a cumulative team GPA of a 3.0 or above.

The Pitt men finished the fall semester with 3.147 GPA. Several team members were named Big East Academic All-Stars for the previous year, including Eric Burnett (Pittsburgh, Pa./ Fox Chapel), Steve Gonzalez (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop), Tim Konoval (Parry Sound, Ontario/Central Connecticut State), Curtis Larimer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer), Mike Long (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville North) and Andy Tomaswick (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands).

Pitt's women's team received a 3.520 GPA this fall, well above the qualifying average. The team's Big East Academic All-Stars from the previous year include Monica Bhattacharjee (Penfield, N.Y./Pennfield), Nikki Bielick (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem), Suzy Bossart (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem), Rachel Bothman (Shoreline, Wash./Shoreline), Ali Briggs (Washington, Pa/Washington), Aly Brown (Hickory, Pa./Fort Cherry), Leah Coveleski (Union City, Pa./Seneca), Bailey Flask (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North), Katelyn Fleishman (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) and Megan Heenan (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Hinsdale Central).