TOWSON, Md. - Towson University's track and field team tied for 39th nationally among 164 teams on the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's 2011 NCAA Division I All-Academic Scholar teams' list announced today.

To be nominated a team must carry a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average. Princeton University tops the list with a 3.68. Towson tied Dayton and Manhattan with 3.38 GPA's. The Tigers tied for 14th nationally last year and were 17th in 2009.

The Tigers head the short list of track teams from the Colonial Athletic Association that are recognized; William & Mary (3.30), Delaware (3.18) and UNC Wilmington (3.13).

"I'm very proud that we have true student-athletes," said Tiger coach Roger Erricker. "This team took the baton and carried on our tradition of excellence in the classroom. It's a tribute also to our academic support staff, especially Michele O'Connor who is our academic advisor."

Leading the academic way for the Tigers this past year was captain Brandi Gervais (biology/pre-dentistry) who graduated in May with a 4.0 GPA. Gervais was showered with scholar-athlete honors in her senior year, including being named CAA Female Scholar Athlete of the Year and the conference's Scholar Athlete of the Year for Women's Cross Country. She also received an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, becoming the sixth Towson student-athlete to be so honored. She will use the scholarship to help defray the costs of attending Dental School.