Feb. 1, 2006

Freshman Tyler McCandless was named to the 2005 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Men's Cross Country Team, the conference announced Wednesday. He was one of just three freshmen to be selected to the team. The honor caps off an exceptional freshman campaign for McCandless, who established himself as Maryland's best runner last season.

In his first semester of college, McCandless compiled a grade point average of 3.81. A physical sciences major, he has a specific interest in the field of meteorology.

In 2005, McCandless put together one of the finest freshman seasons in program history, leading the Terps at every race. In his collegiate debut, the Great Meadows Invitational, he came in eighth overall in 21:10.00. On Sept. 24, the Allentown, Pa. native finished 26th overall to pace the team at the Great American Cross Country Festival. At the Penn State Invitational, he finished in 26:34.0, good for 67th overall. McCandless established an 8K PR at the ACC Championship on Oct. 31 with a mark of 25:14.70 (46th place). He came in 61st overall at NCAA Regionals in 31:56.50 and closed out the season with a 60th plac4 finish at IC4A/ECAC meet.