June 21, 2011

2011 Capital One Academic All-America Men's Track & Field/Cross Country Teams

DAYTON, Ohio –  The Lemon twins have made University of Dayton men’s cross country history again. The recently graduated duo from Bowling Green, Ohio was named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-America® Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country Teams, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

This year Chris Lemon became the first-ever Flyer men’s cross country runner to earn First Team Academic All-America honors. He is also the first to be voted an Academic All-American two times, after taking home second team accolades his junior season. Matt Lemon was a second team selection this year, marking the first time two Dayton men’s cross country runners have earned Academic All-America honors in the same season.

“Chris and Matt have taken UD men’s cross country to higher levels, both athletically and academically, through their focus, sacrifices and persistence,” head coach Rich Davis said. “They have demonstrated all those qualities to the fullest. What they have accomplished will last far beyond those four years and will be a lasting influence to the program and University.”

The 2009 Atlantic 10 Conference cross country champion and the runner-up in 2010, Chris graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.947 GPA with an education and Spanish double major at Dayton. A two-time Atlantic 10 Student-Athlete of the Year Award winner, he became the first Flyer to advance to the NCAA Men’s Cross Country Championships twice. He owns school records in the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000-meter runs. Lemon will teach in Mexico on a Fulbright Grant and is also a John W. Berry Scholar.

Matt was the first Dayton men's cross country runner to earn First Team Atlantic 10 honors all four years. He was a two-time A-10 All-Academic Team selection. Matt and Chris were the first Flyer runners to qualify for the NCAA National Championship in 2008. The 2007 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Matt Lemon was named UD's Most Valuable Runner that season. He graduated Summa Cum Laude this spring with a 3.94 GPA in electrical engineering and Spanish.

Dayton was just one of seven schools to have at least two representatives on the 2011 Capital One Academic All-America® Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country Teams. In addition to Dayton the following schools had at least two student-athletes honored in the University Division: Arizona State, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rice, South Carolina and Stanford.

The University of Dayton men’s cross country 2011 fall season opens with the Flyer 5K Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 3.