Jan. 3, 2006
East Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan State women's cross country team capped a successful 2005 season with an even better performance in the classroom during the fall semester. Six team members posted a perfect 4.0 GPA, while 15 more posted a 3.50 or better and 21 netted a 3.00 or higher. The overall GPA for the 2005 Spartan women was 3.61, with every team member owning a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
"Our grades speak not only to our efforts in striving for excellence athletically and academically," said head coach Rita Arndt-Molis, "but also to the incredible support staff at the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center. Jim Pignitaro and his staff go out of their way to help our athletes succeed. They provide every resource for academic success."
The academic success comes on the heels of the team's fifth-straight trip to the NCAA Championship. Michigan State placed 30th in the nation at this year's NCAA meet, held on Nov. 21, on the campus of Indiana State University. The Spartan women have also set aside their own personal time to adopt a local `Toys For Tots' family.
In terms of well-rounded teams, ours is one of the best in the country," Arndt-Molis said. "I am incredibly proud of this group of talented, capable, and empowered young women."
