Two top finishers at the 2008 Division III Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championships are this year’s scholar-athletes of the year in the sport, as selected by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Amherst’s Elise Tropiano, who finished second individually in women’s competition, and Wartburg’s Brian Chenoweth, the third-place finisher in men’s competition, are among 221 women and 132 men who earned all-academic honors from the coaches this year.

Tropiano is a senior psychology major.

“She has pushed herself to the limits in both the classroom and on the race course in an effort to be the best that she can be, and this award is a fitting tribute to the benefits of her efforts,” said Amherst coach Erik Nedeau. “Whether it is staying up late to finish a paper, or getting an extra mile in when the weather is bad, she is always willing to do all that it takes, and it has been an honor to have had the chance to coach here.

Chenoweth is a senior business major. This is the third time that he has received all-academic honors.

The Haverford men’s cross country team and the Washington-Saint Louis women’s team each placed six student-athletes on the all-academic lists to lead all Division III institutions.