Aug. 7, 2008

USTFCCCA Release

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Recent graduates Craig Meekins (Baldwin, N.Y.) and John Olsen (Staten Island, N.Y.), along with rising junior Mark Van Orden (Morris Plains, N.J.) have been named to the 2008 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Men's Division I All-Academic Track & Field team.

Navy's three representatives, the most of any Patriot League institution, were part of a record total of 266 student-athletes representing 111 Division I institutions that made up the men's team.

This spring, Meekins, Navy's indoor team captain, made his second consecutive appearance at the NCAA East Regionals by virtue of his victory in the 800-meter dash at the Patriot League Outdoor Championships. Meekins, who also captured the 800-meter title at the league's indoor championship, finished 12th overall with a career-best time and the seventh-best clocking in school history (1:49.24). The Baldwin, N.Y., native posted a 3.73 grade-point average during the spring semester and graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.36 as an international relations major.

Olsen, one of the Mids' top distance runners throughout his Navy tenure, also qualified for the NCAA Regional meet after capturing the league outdoor title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The Staten Island, N.Y., native garnered Second-Team All-Patriot League honors thanks to his runner-up finish in the 3,000-meter run at February's indoor championship. Olsen attained a 3.67 grade-point average during the spring and graduated with an overall GPA of 3.35 as a history major.

Van Orden held the Patriot League's top mark in the hammer throw this season with a toss of 195'1" (59.47 meters). The native of Morris Plains, N.J., collected his first league title with a first-place finish in the event during the outdoor championships, while claiming runner-up honors during the indoor season. He capped off an impressive sophomore campaign with an 11th-place effort in the hammer throw at the NCAA East Regionals.
Van Orden, an English major, paced the trio of honorees with a 3.79 grade-point average during the spring semester and earned a cumulative GPA of 3.75 for the academic year.

The USTFCCCA honors Division I athletes for their academic and athletic achievements during the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, student-athletes must have compiled a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 and have met either the NCAA Division I Indoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard or the NCAA Division I Outdoor regional or national qualifying standard in their respective event.