Alyssa Barrett ’15
Sports Editor
The 2013–2014 Smith College Cross Country team is a group of determined young individuals. Whether running or in the classroom, these individuals get the job done and done well. These athletes truly embody the term “student-athlete.” The team is not only excelling in their season, but also in their academics. As of Monday, Feb. 17, the Cross Country team has been honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for their outstanding work in the classroom. In order to be selected as honorees, the athletes must hold at least a 3.30 GPA as well as finish in the top twenty-five runners of the region. Danielle Opatovsky ’16 was individually recognized due to her 3.69 GPA and her performance in the NCAA regional championship, during which Opatovsky placed 49th out of 371 runners.
In total, the team has an outstanding GPA of 3.58. Five pioneer athletes were also honored for making the NEWMAC’s All-Academic Cross Country Team: Kylee Drugan-Eppich ’14, Victoria Dunch ’14, Abby Mosca ’14, Micaela Young ’14 and Katie Paulson-Smith ’14. These students were selected due to their academic excellence, as evidenced by a 3.5 GPA. These numbers are what Smith students strive for academically, athletes or not. Coaches desire these GPAs as well. They teach student-athletes that settling for mediocre is not good enough and to strive for excellence not only in their sport, but their classrooms as well. And here is a team that has done so. They have been nationally recognized due to their dedication to their sport and academics. Congratulations, Cross Country, and keep up the hard work!
