Myrtle Beach Leader

Jones, Cross Country Teams Garner Academic Recognition

 Both the Coastal Carolina University men's and women's cross country programs were recognized as All-Academic Teams by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). In addition, junior Molly Jones was named a USTFCCCA Women's All-Academic Athlete.
 
The Chanticleer men were one of 216 teams across NCAA Division I to be recognized, while the women were one of 249 squads. Coastal's men posted a combined 3.065 GPA for the 2022 fall season and the women a 3.314 GPA.
 
In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period.
 
Jones, the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year and Sun Belt Conference Women's Cross Country Champion, was one of 171 women from 88 different institutions who were named All-Academic Athletes for their efforts both in competition and in the classroom during the 2022 season.
 
An Intelligence and Security Studies major, Jones was one of just six student-athletes in the Sun Belt Conference to receive the academic honor from the USTFCCCA.
 
A 4.0 student, Jones earned 2022 NCAA Division I Southeast All-Region honors with a 21st-place finish at the regional championship meet. Crowned the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Women's Cross Country Individual Champion, Jones crossed the finish line in first place overall with a CCU school and Sun Belt Conference (5k) record of 16:29.5 for the win and earned All-Sun Belt first-team honors.
 
Over the 2022 cross country season, Jones competed in four meets, recording three wins on the season and one runner-up finish. In addition to her win at the conference championship meet, she finished first at the Carolina Challenge (5k) with a time of 18:22.8 and also picked up the win with a first-place finish at the Firetower Project Run (5k) with a time of 17:26.9. She crossed the finish line in second-place overall at the ECU Pirate Invitational (6k) with a personal-best 6k time of 21:12.8. 
 
In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top 25 (or 10 percent) at the NCAA Regional Championships or as an All-American at the NCAA Championships. 

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