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Feb. 26, 2013

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma cross country team had five members named to the 2012 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I All-Academic team. A total of 67 student-athletes represent the 40 institutions that compose the men's group.

The men's team led the way with four student-athletes: Bill Kogel, Ryan Poland, Andrew Weaver and Kevin Williams.

OU was one of just five Division I institutions to have four members of its men's team to earn All-Academic status and lead the country. Oklahoma is joined by Tulsa, Iona, Georgetown and Virginia, who each had four squad members named to the All-Academic list.

Kogel was Oklahoma's top finisher at the 2012 cross country championships after he crossed the line in 30:19.80 to finish 51^st overall. Kogel ends his career at OU as a four-time All-Regional selection, three-time All-Big 12 honoree, three-time All-Academic Big 12 student and two-time USTFCCCA All-Academic runner.

It is the third national All-Academic honor for Williams, both a three-time All-Region and Academic All-Big 12 selection, who finished 78^th at the 2012 NCAA Championships in 30:33.4. The announcement marks the first USTFCCCA All-Academic honor for Poland, a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, and Weaver.

Jessica Engel was the lone Oklahoma representative from the women's team. She was one of 115 student-athletes from 69 different institutions named to the women's All-Academic list. Additionally, Engel was the Sooners lone runner at the 2012 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, where she finished 57^th with a time of 20:26.40.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have either earned USTFCCCA All-America status or finished in the NCAA region's top 15 (or top 10 percent) in 2012.

In addition to its individual accolades, the University of Oklahoma men's cross country team earned All-Academic status as a whole with a 3.15 cumulative grade point average. A total of 145 institutions represent 30 conferences that compose the group. OU was one of the seven top ten finishing teams at the 2012 NCAA Cross Country Championships that earned All-Academic status.

To qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross Country Team, the team must have had a cumulative team GPA of 3.00 or better and have started at least five runners at their respective NCAA regional championship.