NEW ORLEANS, La. – Both the men's and women's track teams at Carson-Newman were named to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team for the 2016-2017 academic year on Friday afternoon.

"Very proud of both our women and men." Carson-Newman head track & field coach David Needs said, "This recognition shows that the team understands their purpose to pursue excellence in all areas of life."

The Carson-Newman men's team recorded a cumulative 3.02 GPA, while the women's team posted a 3.38 GPA for the 2016-2017 academic year. The women's team was also named to last year's All-Academic team list.

 "This team understands the big picture that athletics is a part of their development and learning opportunities in college." Needs said, "I am pleased that this team also has a strong commitment to faith and service that are also part of the big picture too."

Lincoln Memorial University was the only other South Atlantic Conference school to have both their men's and women's track teams receive the accolade.

"We know to have both teams earn this award is rare but we know too that this isn't the limit as to where we want to be as students either," Needs concluded.

There were a total of 191 teams honored this year by the USTFCCCA (115 women's, 76 men's). Tiffin was the men's winner for the indoor season, while Adams State took home the women's indoor season. For the outdoor season Lincoln (Mo.) was the men's winner and Grand Valley State was the women's winner.

To keep up with Carson-Newman track and field offseason coverage, stay tuned into cneagles.com and on twitter at @CN_Track for updates. 

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