NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Jacksonville State women's track & field team has earned All-Academic Team status by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, announced by the organization this week.

JSU ranked 65th-nationally among 322 programs on the NCAA Division I level with a team grade point average of 3.27. JSU joins the University of Alabama as the only two institutions in the state to earn the USTFCCCA's Team All-Academic status for the 2010 track & field season. The Gamecock women's cross country team earned their third consecutive such honor this past fall. The Red and White join six other Ohio Valley Conference members on the list.

“We are very pleased with the fact that our young ladies earned this great team honor,” said Jax State head coach Steve Ray. “It marks the first time in the history of the program to achieve this standard and it's a testament not only to the long hours in study hall but to their desire to place their academic pursuits in high regard.”

The University of Tennessee claimed the Indoor Track & Field Scholar Team of the Year, while Penn State was tabbed as the Outdoor Track & Field Scholar Team of the Year.

“Hopefully they will be committed to not only remain a recipient in future years, but to work even harder with the goal of becoming the top program in the state and the OVC,” added Ray.

The Gamecock cross country squads will open the 2010 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 4, hosting the JSU/Struts Season Opener.