NEW ORLEANS - Andy Wacker, a graduate student and member of the University of Colorado cross country team, was awarded USTFCCCA All-Academic status after finishing 20th overall at the NCAA Championships this past November.
Wacker graduated last summer from CU with degrees in evolutionary biology and integrated physiology and is currently pursuing his master's in integrative physiology. He completed his fall semester with a 3.786 grade point average and was an honorable mention selection to the Pac-12 All-Academic Team.
The Pinehurst, N.C. native had an impressive final season on the cross country team, helping the Buffs take third at nationals, second at regionals and win the inaugural Pac-12 team crown. Wacker was second at the Rocky Mountain Shootout and led CU at the NCAA Pre-National Invitational with a second-place finish. He was sixth at the Pac-12 Championships and seventh at regionals; ending his career with his second All-American honor at nationals (20th overall). Wacker was also named to the All-Pac-12 First Team and all-region team.
In total, 58 NCAA Division I student-athletes, representing 36 institutions, earned USTFCCCA All-American status. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross Country Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have either earned USTFCCCA All-America status or finished in the NCAA region's top 15 (or top 10 percent) in 2011.
