Grats to the Lady Grizzlies/Graduation Data

Many congratulations to the Lady Grizzlies of Adams State on their fifth straight victory in the DII Cross-Country Championship, the thirteenth in the program's history. Senior Tanya Gaurmer led the way with a 3rd place finish, and all other scoring runners finished in the top 24, leading to an astronomical 63-178 victory over runner-up Seattle Pacific, whose Jessica Pixler took home individual honors.

Kudos must, as well go these STUDENT-athletes for their performance in the classroom. The Women's Cross-Country/Track program at Adams State posts an 82% graduation rate, with Seattle Pacific coming in 71%. Yet two more programs hobbled by high academic standards.

Grats to the Lady Jeffs/Graduation Data

Many congratulations to the Lady Jeffs of Amherst on their victory in the DIII Cross-Country Championship, their first in the program's history. Each of their five scoring runners finished in the top 43, led by senior captain Heather Wilson, ultimately yielding them a comfortable 120-159 margin over runner-up SUNY Plattsburgh. Sarah Zernan of Willamette took the individual title.

Amherst is a non-scholarship DIII school which does not report graduation data for individual sports, although the student body as a whole posts a 96% graduation rate, as opposed to 54% for SUNY Plattsburgh. Yet another example of the Achilles heel brought about by high academic standards.