MONMOUTH, Ill. – Monmouth College sophomore Clay Staley (Hanna City, Ill./Illini Bluffs) has been named NCAA Division III cross country academic All-American by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Staley, a two-time all-conference selection, placed second in last fall’s Midwest Conference meet and was fourth his freshman year. The USTFCCCA named the sophomore All-Midwest Region after his 25th place finish in the Oshkosh Regional last November. His time of 25:01 on the 8K course was a Monmouth sophomore record and the third fastest time for a Fighting Scot runner at a regional meet.

A biology major with an eye on a career in medicine, Staley has impressed his coach with his ability to balance athletics and academics. “He has a desire to excel in the classroom and yet has made the time to become an elite distance runner on the conference and NCAA level,” said Roger Haynes. “Clay is an outstanding model for the type of student-athlete we hope to attract to Monmouth College. He is a perfect example of someone with a plan and the willingness to follow through when times get tough in either academics or his running. I’m proud of all that Clay has accomplished in his first year and a half at Monmouth College, and look forward with interest to what he will achieve in the years to come.”

The USTFCCA annually honors those student-athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically. To be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average and finish in the top 25 percent of the field at their NCAA regional meet.