ST. PAUL, Minn. - Macalester College rising junior John Ihrke (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) of the men's track & field team was honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as an All-Academic Athlete, the organization announced. Additionally, the Scots were named an All-Academic Team after posting the ninth-highest grade-point average among Division III programs.

To qualify as an USTFCCCA All-Academic team, the program must register at least a 3.10 cumulative GPA. The Scots finished the season with a team GPA of 3.67, which tied for ninth with Johns Hopkins University among Division III institutions.
 
In order to receive USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and have either competed in an NCAA indoor or outdoor championship, or finished the regular season ranked in the national top 50 individually or top 35 in a relay.

This is the second year earning the All-Academic Athlete award for Ihrke, who received the honor at the end of last season. Ihrke was the Scots' top runner during the cross country season, finishing eighth at the MIAC Championships and 43rd at the NCAA North Region meet. He continued to excel into the indoor season, earning a trip to the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 800 meters and finishing ninth at nationals to receive All-America second team accolades. This winter Ihrke set school records in the 800, 1000 meters and mile. Injuries limited him to five races outdoors, including a PR in the 1500. A psychology major, Ihrke made the Academic All-MIAC team for cross country in the fall and for track & field in the winter/spring.

Click here to view the release from the USTFCCCA.