Men’s cross country continues tradition of academic excellence

by Austin Braddock – Horizon Features Editor

The Hesston College men’s cross country team had the highest GPA in the nation last fall, according to an announcement from the NJCAA Cross Country Coaches Association on Feb. 10. Their recorded average of 3.816 earned them the the top position.

“This academic accomplishment is a true testament to the kind of people who make up Hesston College,” said Gerry Sieber, head coach for the Larks. Sieber said he was proud of his runners, many of whom take 15, 16, and 17 credit hours in addition to campus jobs and other leadership positions.

But this isn’t the first time Hesston College cross country has been at the top of the rankings. Academic excellence in cross country is a kind of tradition, according to Sieber. In 2012, the Women’s team took first place with a combined GPA of 3.915 while the men’s team landed at at runner-up with a GPA of 3.8333.

Team photo by Larry Bartel, Hesston College Marketing and Communications