NEW ORLEANS, La.--The Hood College women's cross country team was one of 141 NCAA Division III squads to be recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for academic excellence.

This is the fourth straight year that the Blazer women have earned this accolade. For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, the team must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA regional meet and owned a combined 3.10 team cumulative grade-point average. Hood's women's cross country team has boasted the highest team GPA every season since the program's inception in 2003.

Hood ran its fastest combined time ever (2:13.37) at this year's NCAA regional meet in Bethlehem, Pa. Junior Danielle Sgro was Hood's top finisher with a time of 24:03, good for 33rd overall.