University of Richmond Athletics
Benford, Llano, Quinn Make USTFCCCA's All-Academic Team
02/15/2011 | Cross Country
Feb. 15, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, La. - The USTFCCCA announced yesterday that Richmond's Andrew Benford, Matt Llano, and Tim Quinn earned spots on the USTFCCCA's 2010 Division I All-Academic Cross Country Team.
"It's an impressive accomplishment for these three men and what they have done for our program and University," said men's head coach Steve Taylor. "They epitomize the term 'student-athlete' and have been remarkably successful as athletes, but more importantly they have achieved the same level of success in the classroom."
Redshirt-senior Andrew Benford is a Psychology and Religion double-major, while senior Tim Quinn is a Political Science and French double-major. Redshirt-senior Matt Llano is a Psychology, Latin American and Iberian Studies, and Theatre triple-major.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25, in addition to either earning USTFCCCA All-America status or finishing in the NCAA region's top 15 (or top 10 percent) in 2010.
"These men are great examples of why our program is known for academic success. They are a direct example of the foundation our alumni over the past decade laid in building the team and our expectations for our athletes," said Taylor.
Richmond is one of four teams in the nation with three men on the All-Academic Team. According to the USTFCCCA, "A total of 56 student-athletes represent 42 institutions that compose the group. Oklahoma led all schools with four honorees while Richmond, Villanova, and Wisconsin followed with three each."
The Spiders finished 24th in the team standings at the NCAA National Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. this past November. Leading the Spiders to the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history, Andrew Benford, Matt Llano and Tim Quinn earned All-Region honors while securing a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Region Championship.
Earlier in the season, Andrew Benford clinched first-place at the Atlantic 10 Conference Championships, followed by Matt Llano in third and Tim Quinn in sixth. Their performances helped Richmond bring the men's Conference Championship title to Richmond for the first time in program history. In addition, all three men earned All-Conference and Academic All-Conference honors for their work in the classroom and on the cross country course in 2010.
"I'm beyond proud of these athletes and all they have done and continue to do for the University of Richmond. We're also very proud to be one of four programs in the nation to have three men on the elite list. The best student-athletes in the nation notice these achievements which will help future Spider teams."
To view the full article, and the complete list of All-Academic recipients, click here.
