April 9, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) named three Hoyas to its 2008 Division I Cross Country All-Academic Team. This honor follows a spectacular season for Georgetown cross country with the men finishing 10th at the NCAA Championships and the women finishing ninth and three Hoyas earning All-America status for their efforts at the national meet.

For the men, graduate student Michael Banks (Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional) and senior Justin Scheid (Sparta, N.J./Pope John XXII) were named to the 2008 USTFCCCA Division I Men's Cross Country All-Academic Team. Banks has had a terrific career on the Hilltop and was named All-American for his efforts in the 2008 Indoor Distance Medley Relay when he was part of the fifth-place squad, timing in at 9:34.22. Banks is also a BIG EAST Champion, as he was part of the outdoor 4x800m relay team in 2005 that won the event with a time of 7:34.88. Scheid has had a great career with the Blue & Gray, having already posted an NCAA Regional qualifying time this season as he ran a personal best, 14:05.03, in the 5000m. His time ranks in the top 25 on GU's all-time list, an impressive feat with Georgetown's rich tradition in the middle distance and distance.

Graduate student Elizabeth Maloy (Loudonville, N.Y./Academy of Holy Names) was named to the 2008 USTFCCCA Division I Women's Cross Country All-Academic Team, quite an honor after she was named All-American for her 33rd-place finish in the national meet. Maloy is a four-time All-American and a four-time BIG EAST Champion. Maloy finished up her eligibility during the 2008 cross country season but continues to train with the team and serve as a volunteer assistant as she finishes up graduate school. She continues to compete and most recently ran unattached at the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. and bested her top time on the Hilltop in the 5000m by nearly 40 seconds with a time of 15:46.31.