March 7, 2006

DAYTON, OH - The University of Dayton Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams added another academic award to their already stellar academic record by being named by the United States Cross Country Coaches Association to their All Academic Cross Country Team, With Distinction.

This award recognizes the teams for maintaining an average cumulative grade point average of 3.25. This year's men's team is the tenth in a row to win this honor, a streak that dates back to 1996.

Where this award represents outstanding team academic achievement, one individual Flyer earned the highest academic award the Atlantic 10 hands out.

Junior Eric Contreras (Centerville, OH) was named Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year in men's cross country. The award recognizes Contreras' achievements on the course and in the classroom, and is voted on by the sports information departments from every Atlantic 10 institution.

Contreras has an overall GPA of 3.98 and majors in economics, marketing and Spanish. Other academic honors include twice being named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll and being on the University of Dayton's Dean's List for the past four semesters.