Feb. 1, 2006

Senior Cori Koch and junior Laurel Jefferson have each earned spots on the 2005 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Women's Cross Country team, the conference announced Wednesday. Both Terps are first time selections to the elite group. They join a list of 21 other runners who were also chosen by the ACC.

Koch is majoring in kinesiology and registered a grade point average of 3.40 last semester. During her career at Maryland, she has maintained an overall GPA of 3.13. Double majoring in English and French, Jefferson compiled a 3.88 GPA in the fall and now owns a cumulative 3.88 GPA.

In 2005, Koch and Jefferson both guided Maryland to arguably the best season in program history. One of the pair paced the Terps at every race last season, helping the team to several impressive finishes and its first ever national ranking.

A native of Lutherville, Md., Koch enjoyed a breakout season as a senior, leading the Terps in five of seven races. She opened the year with a 10th place finish (17:56.0) at the Great Meadows Invitational to pace the team. At Maryland's next meet, the Great American Cross Country Festival, she placed 26th in 18:01.70. She came in 27th overall in 21:22.40 at the Paul Short Invitational on Oct. 1, lifting the Terps to a fourth-place team finish. At the Penn State Invitational, she paced the Terps again, finishing 21st overall. On Nov. 12 Koch earned All Mid-Atlantic honors for her 18th place finish at NCAA Regionals. She followed up that performance with a sixth-place finish at the IC4A/ECAC meet, where she was named All-East.

Jefferson put together a remarkable campaign for the Terps, as well, leading the squad at two races in 2005 and finishing second on the team in four others. The Silver Spring, Md. native placed 15th overall at the Great American Cross Country Festival, crossing in 18:28.0 in the season opener. Later, Jefferson came in 30th with a mark of 18:13.70 at the Great American Cross Country Festival. On Oct. 1, she paced the Terps at the prestigious Paul Short Invitational, placing 20th overall in 21:08.70. At the ACC Championship meet she was the team's top finisher in 26th place (20:26.70). On Nov. 19, Jefferson came in seventh overall at the IC4A/ECAC meet, crossing in 18:12.90 and earning All-East recognition for her performance.