UCI runners lauded

The UC Irvine women’s cross country program has earned a Public Recognition Award from the NCAA based on its Academic Progress Rate.

The Anteater team’s score ranked among the top 10 percent in its sport for 2011-12, the most recent year in the report. This is the third consecutive year that the UCI women’s cross country program has earned the award.

A total of 976 Division I teams from 268 schools, out of 346 Division I colleges and universities, were recognized with the award for 2011-12.

“The NCAA’s quintessential student-athlete exhibits dedication and commitment both on the playing field and in the classroom,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert in a statement. “These teams and programs truly embody the overall values of the NCAA, and have exceeded standards to post fantastic academic scores. We are delighted by such a clear example of our membership’s commitment to providing well-rounded experiences to student-athletes.”

Each year, the NCAA tracks the classroom performance of student-athletes on every Division I team through the annual scorecard of academic achievement, known as APR. The rate measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or quarter and provides a clear picture of the academic performance in each sport. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-2012 academic years.

— From staff reports