Feb. 26, 2008
NEW ORLEANS- Graduate students Rachel Papin (Philadelphia, PA/St. Hubert's) and Ed Baynes (Verona, NJ/Verona) have both been named to the 2008 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I Cross Country All-Academic Team, announced Monday.
Papin has earned this award every year she has ran for the Explorers. She is the only Atlantic 10 runner and one of only 91 female student-athletes nationwide to garner this recognition. Papin is currently enrolled in the graduate psychology program at
La Salle, with a focus on addictions counseling.
"Running helps me stay focused on my routine-which also motivates me to do well in my classes," said Papin.
In her final cross country season, Papin placed 115th at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana (21:40.8) in the women's 6K. She was also named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic `All-Region' Team after finishing 11th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional (20:36.0). She placed second at the A-10 XC Championship (18:34.0), leading the Explorers to their fourth consecutive Team Championship and was named A-10 XC All-Conference.
Baynes finds himself on the USTFCCCA's All-Academic Team for the first time in his career at La Salle as one of only 56 male student-athletes in the country to earn this award. The business administration major was named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic `All-Region' Team after finishing 21st at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional meet in (30:53.0) He helped the Explorers to their second consecutive A-10 XC title after running to an 11th-place finish (26:01.0) at the A-10 XC Championships.
This award honors student-athletes who have achieved success both academically and athletically. To be eligible a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average and have completed a minimum 24 semester hours through the 2007 fall term. Additionally the student-athlete must finish in the top 15 runners or top 10 percent of finishers at their respective NCAA regional meet, or receive All-American honors.
