Syracuse women's cross-country team had eight student-athletes selected to the 2008-09 BIG EAST All-Academic Team, while the men had five student-athletes honored.

 

Nana Sang-Bender, a 2009 graduate with a degree in international relations earned her fourth consecutive selection. Joining Sang-Bender on the team was junior and health & exercise science major Maegan Krifchin. This is Krifchin's third consecutive selection. Two-time honorees included sophomores Rebekah MacKay, Catherine DeSarle and junior Katie Hursey. MacKay is majoring in illustration and DeSarle is concentrating on chemistry. Completing the group and being chosen for their first time were freshmen Lauren Penney and Carly Hamond, along with sophomore Lauryn MacFawn.

 

The Orange earned its first national ranking in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Poll and qualified for the Division I NCAA Cross Country Championship for the first time in school history.

 

Accounting major Dan Busby and geology major Curtis Bixler earned the honor for the third consecutive year. Steve Weeks, a hospitality & food service management major, earned the accolade for the second time, while Pat DuPont and Griff Graves made the team for the first time.

 

Two individuals to compete in the National Championship in 2008 as Brad Miller Busby were able to qualify as individuals for the race. The Orange begins the 2009 season with two meets in Hamilton, N.Y. at the Harry Lang invitational on Sept. 5, and the Colgate Invitational on Sept. 19.

 

SU opens the 2009 campaign on the road Sept. 1 at Binghamton. The team's first home match is Sept. 5 against Ivy League foe Cornell.