ANDERSON, S.C. – For a departmental-record ninth time and the third time in five semesters, the Anderson University women's cross country team has edged the women's track and field squad for top academic honors following the fall semester, as announced by the department on Friday morning.
"Dr. Jacks has been an integral part of the AU Athletic family for many years and what an honor to be able to recognize our women's cross country team with this award," said Vice-President for Athletics Bert Epting. "We have never had a team do this well academically – so proud of what this team has accomplished both in the classroom and on the course."
Competition for the academic accolade was as fierce as ever, with nearly every team achieving at least a 3.0 GPA for the semester and the Athletic Department as a whole setting a new departmental record 3.264 GPA.
The men's tennis team broke through two semesters ago to become the first men's team in the 12-year history of the award to post the department's highest GPA, with the cheerleading squad capturing the honor for the first time in the history of the award last spring.
The women's cross country team notched a remarkable 3.784 GPA this past semester, which eclipsed the women's tennis team's 3.77 GPA in the spring semester of 2016 as the highest mark in the history of the award.
The Dr. Shirley Jacks Award is given to the team that possesses the highest grade point average at the end of each semester and the women's cross country team will be presented the trophy at an athletic event during the spring.