Detroit Men's and Women's Track and Field Receives Academic Honors

Aug. 15, 2005

Detroit, Mich. - Director of Track and Field Guy Murray was proud to announce today that both the men's and women's teams were ranked among the top teams academically for the 2004-05 season. In addition, fellow high school teammates Ryan Byrne and Andrea Karpala both achieved All-Academic honors from the US Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Men's team ranked 6th in the nation last season with a cumulative GPA of 3.2107. The Women's team ranked 32nd with an overall GPA of 3.1515.

Byrne, a sophomore in 2004-05, became the 1st male Titan to achieve the USTFCCCA's All-Academic honors. He had a 3.914 GPA last season, the 14th highest average in the nation.

Karpala, a senior in 2004-05, was the only multi-year honoree on the female list. This is her third time receiving the All-Academic honor. Two previous Titan females have made the All-Academic list, Kim Jess in 1995 and Kim Hemstreet (Cross Country) in 2001.

"This is a great honor not only for Ryan and Andrea but for the whole team," Murray said, "We try to do things the right way and I am proud of how hard everyone works both on the track and in the classroom."

Story Provided by Pat Moore, Detroit Sports Information