March 2, 2010

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle sophomore Tyler Jones earned All-Academic honors for the 2009 cross country season as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Jones, an Information Technology major who was also recently named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, led the Explorer cross country squad in the fall with numerous accolades. He finished 13th in the Atlantic 10 to earn all-conference honors and followed up with a 15th place finish at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional to earn all-region status. Behind his all-conference performance, the Explorers finished fourth in the Atlantic 10.

Jones led the Explorers at every race he competed in during the fall. During the regular season, he was the first Explorer to cross the finish line at the Paul Short Invitational at Lehigh University on Oct. 2. Jones ran a 24:13 in the 8K race to finish 26th out of 386 runners in a nationally and regionally ranked field, and helped the Explorers to a ninth place team finish out of 42 teams.

He also led the team at the Penn State Nationals held this year at Lock Haven University on Oct. 16. He clocked a team-best 25:32 in the 8K race amid freezing temperatures, snow, ice and mud on the Lock Haven course.

In September, Jones kicked off his 2009 season with a fourth place individual finish at the Boston University Invitational with a time of 25:12.

Jones came to La Salle last year and proved himself as one of the premier freshmen in the Atlantic 10 in 2008, as he finished as the second rookie at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Championship - only one spot behind teammate Nick Crits. In 2008, he also earned two Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors.

To be eligible for USTFCCCA All-Academic award a student-athlete must carry a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average and must finish among the top 15 finishers (or top 10 percent) of the field at their respective NCAA regional meet.