Yellowjacket Cross-Country Teams Near the Top of the Nation Academically (Mar. 24, 2004)

BILLINGS, MT – For the ninth consecutive year, the Montana State-Billings cross-country teams have been ranked near the top of the nation for academics by the NCAA II Cross-Country Coaches Association.  The Yellowjacket men’s team was tied for fourth for team GPA with a 3.59, while the women’s team was tied for eighth with a 3.61 GPA.

The Lady Yellowjackets were ranked No. 1 for the previous three seasons and have been on the list for nine years running.  The ranking is based on combined cumulative GPA of the top five members of the team.  Ohio Valley College took over the No. 1 spot with a 3.95 GPA.  MSU Billings is tied with Nebraska-Kearney in eighth place.  The 2003-04 Lady Jacket cross-country team included Kendra Bebee (So., Dillon, MT), Mandy Brown (Sr., Wolf Point, MT), Anjel Hoff (Sr., Billings, MT), Chelsea Lynnes (Jr., Miles City, MT), Raquel McCarthy (Jr., Butte, MT), Tracie Overberg (So., Dodson, MT), and Tiffany Piplica (Fr., Riverton, WY).

The men’s team was ranked eighth last season, but climbed into a tie for fourth with Seattle Pacific University.  Fort Hayes State led the nation with a 3.68 GPA.  The Yellowjacket men’s team included Ryan Archibald (Jr., Missoula, MT), Scott Brown (So., Billings, MT), Sean Hannifin (Fr., Billings, MT), Sam Hartpence (So., Custer, SD), Joe Kragt (Fr., Worden, MT), Brendan Murray (Jr., Billings, MT).

Women’s Top Ten Cross-Country GPA, 2003-2004
1. Ohio Valley College, 3.95
2. Tusculum College, 3.69
3. Truman State University, 3.67
4. Texas A&M Commerce, 3.65
    Wayne State University, 3.65
6. Chaminade University, 3.64
7. Emporia State University, 3.63
8. Montana State University-Billings, 3.61
    University of Nebraksa-Kearney, 3.61
10. University of North Dakota, 3.60


Men’s Top Ten Cross-Country GPA, 2003-2004
1. Fort Hayes State University, 3.68
2. Colorado School of Mines, 3.64
3. University of Missouri-Rolla, 3.61
4. Montana State University-Billings, 3.59
    Seattle Pacific University, 3.59
6. Hillsdale College, 3.56
7. Pfeiffer University, 3.55
8. Saint Martin’s College, 3.49
9. Seattle University, 3.47
10. Wayne State University, 3.45