NEW ORLEANS, La. – For the seventh year in a row, Clayton State women's cross country program has been recognized as an All-Academic Team and earned All-Academic Individual honorees as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) during the week of February 9.
 
In addition to the program honors, junior Carla Catala Martin (Barcelona, Spain) and senior Joy Diaz (Riverdale, Georgia) were named as All-Academic Individuals. This is Martin's second year being named to that Impressive group.

Overall, Martin and Diaz are among 393 Division II women's cross country runners to achieve at least a 3.25 GPA and finish in the top 30-percent of the eligible field at their NCAA Regional to be named to the team this year.
 
"Another nice honor for Carla to complete a terrific cross country season by earning her second individual academic award through USTFCCCA," said head cross country coach Mike Mead. Joy capped a productive senior season by earning her first USTFCCCA academic award. "For both Carla and Joy, they not only have to be smart, but they had to finish in a certain percentage of the field at the region meet last November to earn the honor."

As a team, the Lakers women's program posted a cumulative GPA of 3.24 and are among 157 programs that met the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement to earn the honor this season.
 
"I am proud of our women's program in consistently earning this prestigious academic honor through our coaches' association," said Mead. "This marks the seventh consecutive year that the women's team has received this award, meaning they have maintained over a 3.0 GPA during that time."

2017 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team
Women's Cross Country
 
2017 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team (Individual)
Carla Catala Martin
Joy Diaz