NEW ORLEANS – Twenty-eight straight years -- it is the length of the consecutive years that the College of Saint Benedict cross country team has earned United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team honors.

This week, Saint Benedict was one of 221 Division III women's cross country teams to earn USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors. The Bennies wrapped up the 2024 fall semester with a cumulative team GPA of 3.65. In order to qualify for the award, teams must maintain a cumulative team GPA of 3.1 or higher.
 
Aside from the 2020 season where MIAC and NCAA championships were canceled due to COVID, Saint Benedict has earned All-Academic Team honors in each of the last 28 seasons dating back to at least 1996, and 29 times dating back to 1993.
 
Along with the team honor, junior Mary Kenney earned USTFCCCA All-Academic accolades for her work both on the course and in the classroom. In order to qualify for individual academic honors, athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and finish in the top 25 percent of their regional championship meet.

Kenney, a junior nursing major from Woodbury (East Ridge HS), Minn., finished 53^rd to lead the College of Saint Benedict cross country team to 18^th place as a team at the NCAA DIII North Region Championships on Nov. 16, 2024 at the Billy Huyck Cross Country Course. Kenney clocked 23:32.5 across 6,000 meters, which was a season-best (23:41.50) for the junior.