EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's track and field team has been named the Men's Indoor Scholar Team of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for the 2015-16 track & field season. Josh Thorson was also named Men's Indoor Track & Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The Blugolds earned the distinction as they were the highest-placing team with at least a 3.10 cumulative grade point average at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championship. UW-Eau Claire finished with a 3.18 grade point average and won the indoor national crown. Thorson received top individual honors after earning a 3.87 grade point average. The honor is given to the highest finishing performer at the NCAA Division III Championship that achieved All-Academic status.
Also joining Thorson on the USTFCCCA All-Academic team include: Kevin Brooks, Brandon Christnovich, Matt Cooper, Connor Drexler, Darin Lau, Will LaJeunesse, Nick Petersson and Jake Pientok.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 and have met either of the following athletNCAAtandards: competed in an NCAA Indoor or Outdoor Championship; or finished the regular season ranked in the national top 35 in an individual event or ranked in the national top 25 (collective listing) in a relay event on the official NCAA POP list provided by TFRRS.org.