Bargiachi Lady'Backs earn academic honors

FAYETTEVILLE – Junior Denise Bargiachi and the University of Arkansas Lady Razorback cross country team each earned academic honors from the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) it was announced by the organization’s office in New Orleans, La., on Tuesday.

Bargiachi was tabbed as one of 91 members of the women’s academic all-America team which hail from 65 different schools across the county, while the Lady Razorback squad was named as one of the all-Academic teams.

“Denise is very deserving of this honor,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “She was one of our big three throughout the cross country season and works every bit as hard in the classroom as she does on the track or cross country course. We are very proud of her and what she has accomplished. She is the epitome of the student-athlete.”

The all-Academic award by Bargiachi is her second in as many years as she joins an elite group of now eight Lady Razorbacks to earn at least two USTFCCCA all-Academic awards. To be considered for the association’s highest academic honor, student-athletes must maintain a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average and have at least 24 semester hours counting toward their degree through the fall term. Athletically, they must have earned all-America honors or finished among the top 15 at their respective regional championships. In Bargiachi’s case, she has accumulated a 3.6 GPA in journalism and advertising/public relations and finished third at the NCAA South Central Regional, leading Arkansas to a second-place finish as a team this fall.

Bargiachi’s efforts on the cross country course and in the classroom also helped the Lady Razorbacks earn the team academic award for the 11th time since 1995. For teams to be eligible for the honor they must have placed at one of the respective regional championships and earned a cumulative 3.0 grade point average as a team.

For more information about Lady Razorback cross country or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.