July 11, 2007

Grand Valley State University and Western State College have been recognized as the 2007 USTFCCCA Division II Men's Indoor and Outdoor All-Academic Team's of the Year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced on Tuesday.

The Lakers finished in eighth place at the Division II Indoor Championships and also finished in eighth place at the Division II Outdoor Championships.

"A lot of our student-athletes started out as walk-ons or with very little scholarship aid but have worked hard in both their academic and athletic careers to become what they are today," head coach Jerry Baltes said.

The Lakers hold a cumulative 3.020 team grade-point average.

"This is such a great honor for our men's program. We are very fortunate to have some of the hardest working and loyal student-athletes around, along with a coaching staff that will work as hard as needed to give the student-athletes the best chance to be successful," Baltes added.

There were 24 Division II Men's programs recognized as 2007 All-Academic Track and Field Teams.The selection of the All-Academic Indoor and Outdoor Team's of the Year award is based on a combination of athletic and academic achievements, with the top honor going to the team that had the best finish at the Division II Indoor and/or Outdoor National Championships that also holds the highest cumulative GPA.To be nominated, a team must carry a minimum 3.000 cumulative GPA.