CALIFORNIA (June 18) – California University of Pennsylvania graduate student
Christopher Clark (Hadley, Pa./Commodore Perry) earned
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country Second-Team honors on Thursday, announced the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Clark is the first track & field/cross country student-athlete in school history to be selected an Academic All-American. He is the second Vulcan to earn the prestigious academic honor this season, joining softball pitcher
Sonia Petrosoniak (Mississauga, Ontario/Clarkson), and is the 12th different student-athlete in school history to receive Academic All-America laurels.
Clark concluded his career as a five-time NCAA All-American after earning three All-America honors this season. In the fall, the 6-1 graduate student finished fourth overall at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships to earn All-America status. Leading up to the national race, he won the individual titles at both the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and NCAA Atlantic Regional Championships. For his efforts, Clark was selected the PSAC and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Athlete of the Year.
During the spring, Clark posted All-America times in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter runs at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In April, the Hadley, Pa., native established a new school and PSAC all-time record in the 10,000 meters at the Mt. San Antonio College (SAC) Relays before winning the 10K individual title at the PSAC Championships. Following the season, Clark was selected the PSAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
In the classroom, Clark boasts a perfect 4.00-grade point average (GPA) while pursuing a master’s degree in wellness & fitness. He completed his undergraduate degree in secondary education with a cumulative 3.65 GPA. Clark was a two-time PSAC Top 10 selection this year (Fall 2008, Spring 2009) and received USTFCCCA All-Academic status in the fall.
Clark was one of two representatives from the PSAC on the three CoSIDA Academic All-America teams.
To qualify for Academic All-American honors, student-athletes must have been voted a first-team all-district performer by CoSIDA members. Players must maintain a cumulative 3.20 GPA or higher, reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their institution and participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s games as a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials.