Colorado University Athletics
Seniors Joe Klecker and Sage Hurta
Photo by: Ken Moreland
Klecker Named Men’s Scholar Athlete of the Year; Hurta and Women’s XC Team Also Honored
January 30, 2020 | Cross Country
NEW ORLEANS — After finishing second at the 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championship, University of Colorado senior Joe Klecker has been named the 2019 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country National Scholar Athlete of the Year, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Thursday afternoon.
Klecker is the first athlete from CU to earn this honor and is the fourth Pac-12 athlete to earn the title in the last five years. In addition, he was also selected to the all-academic team for the fourth straight year. The Minnetonka, Minn. native, has recorded a 3.66 GPA while majoring in biochemistry.
On the women's side, senior Sage Hurta recorded her fourth appearance on the USTFCCCA All-Academic team. She has maintained a 3.98 GPA while majoring in chemical and biological engineering. Hurta was the top female at the NCAA Championship, finishing 38th overall for her fourth All-America honor.
The women's team earned the team academic award after compiling a 3.43 cumulative GPA in the fall. The Buffs were one of 237 teams to record the honor with a GPA greater than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Individual honorees must have compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater and must have finished as an All-American (top 40) or among the 25 finishers (or 10 percent) in their regional meet.
Klecker is the first athlete from CU to earn this honor and is the fourth Pac-12 athlete to earn the title in the last five years. In addition, he was also selected to the all-academic team for the fourth straight year. The Minnetonka, Minn. native, has recorded a 3.66 GPA while majoring in biochemistry.
On the women's side, senior Sage Hurta recorded her fourth appearance on the USTFCCCA All-Academic team. She has maintained a 3.98 GPA while majoring in chemical and biological engineering. Hurta was the top female at the NCAA Championship, finishing 38th overall for her fourth All-America honor.
The women's team earned the team academic award after compiling a 3.43 cumulative GPA in the fall. The Buffs were one of 237 teams to record the honor with a GPA greater than 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Individual honorees must have compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater and must have finished as an All-American (top 40) or among the 25 finishers (or 10 percent) in their regional meet.
Players Mentioned
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