Feb. 14, 2014

New Orleans, La. – The Stony Brook men’s and women’s cross country teams have garnered USTFCCCA All-Academic accolades for the seventh straight year. Senior standout Olivia Burne collected her second consecutive individual All-Academic nod.

Burne earned America East Scholar-Athlete honors for the second year in a row Thursday. She joins Holly Van Dalen (2008 and 2009) as the second Seawolf to claim the distinction in back-to-back seasons. The Palmerston, New Zealand product holds a 3.84 grade-point average (GPA) in journalism and is a three-time America East All-Academic selection.

Burne became the sixth Seawolf to win an individual America East women's cross country title at the championship meet hosted by Binghamton Nov. 2 when she broke the tape in a course-record time of 17:30.14. At the NCAA Regional Championship, she placed 15th in 20:41.80, a season-best 6k time, and garnered All-Region status for the second consecutive year.  

The women’s team claimed second at the conference championship, marking its 12th consecutive top-three finish, while the men finished third.

For a team to attain All-Academic status, it must have compiled at least a 3.0 GPA. The women average a 3.31, and the men hold a 3.12 team GPA. The Seawolves were one of 146 programs to have both men’s and women’s teams earn the honor.  An individual most hold a 3.25 GPA or greater.