PORTLAND, Ore. – They got to race just once – and that was in February. But when they weren't training together or just out for a nice long run by themselves, members of the Seattle Pacific cross country teams were both busy and successful in class.
 
Even when many of those classes were on the computer screen.
 
SPU placed seven of its runners, with four men and three women, onto the Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic team that was announced on Thursday.
 
Among those Seattle Pacific runners on the academic squad, seniors Elius Graff, Dania Holmberg, and Elizabeth Thompson made it for the third straight year.
 
Junior Brayden Schultz was on the men's list for the second time, joined by first-timers Jared Putney and J.R. Hentges. Kelsey Washenberger was a first-time honoree on the women's side.
 
Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, cross county did not have its traditional fall season. However, teams were allowed to schedule meets on their own during the winter. The Falcons were able to get together with Central Washington for a race in Ellensburg on Feb. 20, winning both the men's and women's contests.
 
 

Graff is a computer engineering major with a 3.63 grade point average. During the 2019 season, he earned his first All-GNAC award, placing eighth at the conference meet. Graff was third in a 1-2-3 Falcons finish last month at Central.
 
 

Holmberg has a 3.90 GPA as a psychology major. She was an All-GNAC, All-West Region and All-American selection during the 2019 season, capping the year with a 21^st-place finish at nationals. In the dual against Central Washington, Holmberg won handily, getting to the finish line 53 seconds ahead of anyone else.
 
 

Thompson has been a big part of SPU's pack attack during her career. A history major with a 3.92 GPA, she was No. 4 for the team and fifth overall at Central Washington. During the 2019 season, she had her highest-ever finish at GNAC (17^th), set a personal-best 6-kilometer time at West Regionals, then was the No. 5 scorer for the Falcons at nationals.
 
 

Schultz is a history major with a 3.64 GPA, was the No. 4 scorer and sixth overall in Ellensburg. He scored in both the GNAC and NCAA West Regional meets in 2019.
 
 

Putney is a communications major with a 3.69 GPA and won the men's race at Central Washington. Hentges carries a 3.49 GPA as a nursing major. Washenberger sports a 3.90 GPA as an applied human biology major and was fourth at Central.
 
To make the All-Academic team, athletes must be a sophomore or older, have a GPA of 3.20 or greater, be a letterwinner, and are in at least their second year at their school.
 
Barnes & Noble College is the presenting sponsor of the All-Academic team.
 
 
2020-21 GNAC ALL-ACADEMIC CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

SEATTLE PACIFIC WOMEN
Name                       Academic major            Year       GPA        Hometown
*+ Dania Holmberg          Psychology                Sr         3.90       Eagle, Idaho
*+Elizabeth Thompson       History                   Sr         3.92       Portland, Ore.
Kelsey Washenberger        Applied Human Biology     So         3.90       Bend, Ore
 

SEATTLE PACIFIC MEN
Name                       Academic major            Year       GPA        Hometown
*+Elius Graff              Computer Engineering      Sr         3.63       Portland, Ore.
J.R. Hentges               Nursing                   So         3.49       Kirkland, Wash.
Jared Putney               Communications            So         3.69       Issaquah, Wash.
*Brayden Schultz           History                   Jr         3.64       Kenmore, Wash.
 
* 2019 All-Academic selection
+ 2018 All-Academic selection