NEW ORLEANS - The Wichita State University women's cross country team was named to the 2007 NCAA Division I United States Track and Field and Cross Country Association All-Academic Team as announced Tuesday by USTFCCCA officials.

The Shockers joined a list of 158 Division I women's programs to receive the distinction. There are 325 teams in Division I that sponsor women's cross country. The Missouri Valley Conference tied for the second most out of any conference placing nine teams on the award list.

In addition to the outstanding work in the classroom, the Shocker women won their third-straight MVC crown last fall. They were led by individual champion Kellyn Johnson, and all-MVC performers Mica Land and Olivia Martinez. Land is a senior, while Johnson, a junior, and Martinez, a sophomore, both will be back next year.

"I am very proud of the way our women's team takes care of business on and off the track," head cross country coach Marc Burns said. "They continue to commit themselves to excellence in both areas.  Our academic services crew deserves a high five for their role in our student athletes success in the classroom too.  Wichita State does a fantastic job of supporting our program from top to bottom.  Our student athletes our very fortunate to have this type of support from our administration.  Thanks to all for a job well done."

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Meet. The team must also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative grade point average.