Sidelines

Wrestler receives academic honor

Sophomore wrestler Kevin Smith was one of five Mid-American Conference wrestlers to be named to the 2009 Academic All-MAC Wrestling team. Smith, an exercise science major, carried a 3.57 GPA, which ranked him first among the MAC wrestlers honored. A student must have at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA and have participated in 50 percent of the contests for his or her sport to be nominated.

Smith had a solid season wrestling in the 133-pound weight class this year. He went 29-9 overall while going 14-2 in dual meets. He placed second in his weight-class at the UB Open and first at the 2009 New York State Intercollegiate Wrestling Championships.

Cross Country teams gain national recognition

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named Buffalo's men's and women's cross country teams as 2008 Division I Scholar Teams. The men posted a team grade point average of 3.174 and the women earned a 3.386.

A total of 110 men's and 160 women's cross country programs made the list. The South Carolina women's team came in with the highest GPA with a 3.767 and the Vanderbilt men had a 3.755. With their performance at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships, the Washington women and Iona men were named the Scholar Teams of the Year.