The men’s and women’s cross-country teams were recently recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their success in academics. Both teams have earned Division II All-Academic Cross-Country Status, far succeeding the minimum GPA needed to qualify for this honor.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA honor, each team must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have a tallied team score at the NCAA Regional Championships.
“We totally overshot these qualifications. Not only did we have a cumulative team score of 3.46, but our region-meet performance was the best LMXC has seen in my four years,” said senior Gina Micaroni, who earned All-Region Honors with junior teammate Emma D’Ambro.
The women’s team was honored with an astounding 124 other teams in the nation, including 11 from the NE-10 league. The men’s team had a cumulative GPA of 3.15, and was recognized along with 80 men’s cross-country teams, including four other teams from the NE-10.
“It’s really nice to be recognized for our academic as well as athletic accomplishments,” D’Ambro said. “Our team had a really high GPA last semester which I think we all can be proud of as it shows we’re committed to both competing and doing well in the classroom.”
It is not an easy feat to excel in and outside the classroom, but the cross-country teams have created a recipe for success. With 6:30 a.m. practices, the team understands commitment and balancing classes with practice.
“It’s really hard but it’s possible. Time is precious and if we couldn’t do it, we wouldn’t, as hard as it is getting up at 6:30 in the morning then going to an 8:30 a.m. class. It takes a lot of persistence and love for both running and academics,” said junior Nilo Hussain.
To balance grades and athletics, there are sacrifices that athletes must make. Early morning practices are not easy, but they must be done to succeed.
“6:30 a.m. practices have definitely made us closer as a team. It also makes you more committed and unified when you see all the work and sacrifices (no sweets, going to bed really early) that you and your teammates are making,” D’Ambro said. “You have to give up a lot of stuff that maybe you’d like to do in order to finish all your work and still be able to spend enough time at the gym.”
Through hard work, the team is rightfully being recognized for its success. By sharing similar opinions on the importance of academic and athletic achievement, the team has never encountered any problems becoming a unified team.
“Honestly, I never noticed slacking. At all,” Micaroni said. “Everyone just worked their guts out on and off the track — no questions asked. So I guess what I’m saying is: we didn’t really have to work at being a cohesive unit. It just happened. Really cool.”
Head coach Ewen Love, who is in his first season as head coach of the men’s and women’s teams, helps his team achieve success by setting goals for them in academics and athletics.
“We have a team goal that everyone maintains a 3.0 or higher,” coach Love said. “Plus we are able, because of the nature of our sport, to never conflict with classes in any way — practice is at 6:30 a.m. and we do not need the full team to do our workouts.” To help motivate his team, Love encourages them positively. “I try to motivate them by example and to be enthusiastic about life,” he said.
The season is still not done for the teams, as they still have four track meets this spring and continue to work hard and prepare for next year. However, senior Gina Micaroni, who has been a crucial member to the team over these last four years, is entering into her last spring off-season.
“My off-season is life-long now,” Micaroni said. “Individually, however, I love to think that the roads are always open (especially this ‘winter’) so I still run every day.”
On the team’s future next year, Micaroni said, “As for LMXC’s women’s team, I have no doubt that they are training hard and will surprise the NCAA Division II league next year. They are all way too talented and driven not to.”
