CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini Men's Cross-Country team was honored Friday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their excellence in the classroom. Individually, Dylan Lafond was also honored as part of the USTFCCCA All-Academic team.
Jake Stewart's squad accumulated a 3.29 team GPA during the fall 2015 semester, an uptick from last year's mark. Stewart's teams have been honored each of his four years at the helm, including six individual honorees during his four years as head coach.
Dylan Lafond, a sports management major, garnered the honor for the first time after transferring last fall from Mount Olive. Last spring, Lafond earned All-American honors in the 3,000m steeplechase. He then, followed it up with a 29th-place finish at NCAAs in cross-country this past fall to earn All-America honors. He currently holds the University of Illinois cross-country school record for the 8,000m (23:22.4), as well as the 3,000m (8:00.48) and 5,000m (13:46.72) indoor track records.
Lafond and the rest of the Fighting Illini Men's Track & Field team is home for their final indoor home meet of the season tomorrow at the UI Armory. Competition begins at 9 a.m.
