June 17, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. - The Western Athletic Conference released the final Academic All-WAC honors for the 2008-09 season Tuesday, naming freshmen and transfer student-athletes to the academic honors list.

Freshman Eric Battles added his name to the four Bulldog men already announced as Academic All-WAC honorees.

In total, five men and two women from Fresno State's cross country teams have earned the honor, which requires a student-athlete to have completed at least one academic year, maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and compete in at least 50 percent of the team's contests.

"When we came in this year, we made the academic integrity of the program our first priority," said cross country coach Sean McManus. "So I'm thrilled to see multiple people on the WAC Academic list."

From the men's team, juniors Brandon Geis and Frank Sanders, along with sophomores Max Hernandez and Mitchell Pfyl were awarded the Academic All-WAC honor for the season. It is the second honor for both Geis and Sanders.

On the women's side, Briana Cleary, a senior, and Marissa McPhail, a junior, were awarded the academic honor. Both women earned the honor for their 2007 season as well.

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