NEW ORLEANS, La. – The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced that Richard Peterson (Cochranton, Pa./Meadville) earned a spot on the 2011 Division III All-Academic Men's Cross Country status Thursday.

A total of 141 student-athletes representing 80 institutions earned USTFCCCA All-Academic status.

“Richard has been one of the most dedicated student-athletes that I have ever had the privilege to coach. His work ethic and strong desire to perform well both in the classroom and on the cross country course and track is phenomenal. I can always count on him to show up with his 'game face' and he is a tremendous person who leads by example. He will be very successful in whatever endeavor he chooses after his time at Thiel College has ended,” said third-year cross country and track and field coach Steve Carr.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track & Field team, a student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher through the most recent semester and placed in the top 35 at the NCAA Division III Regional Championships.

During the 2011 cross country season Peterson finished within the top 20 at every meet he participated in. At the NCAA Mideast Regional Meet Peterson led the Tomcats to a 20th place team finish. He was Thiel's top performer at the this year's Regional Championships, placing 29th with a time of 26:29.

A Sociology major, Peterson carries a 3.37 cumulative grade-point average. He is an active member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) and participates as a member of both the cross country and track and field teams.

"Society has told many teens and students these days to not dream. That you shouldn't try for the impossible because it will never happen.  Sure there are movies and stories about those who overcome great adversity, but that's not real life, so you should just be realistic in your expectations so you aren't disappointed. Peterson has dared to dream. He was told that line over and over in his life, but he believed in himself. Four years ago people would have laughed at him if he told them he would become an All-Academic in college," said second-year assistant cross country and track and field coach Jed Christiansen. "When you dare to dream what you can accomplish, even if you don't quite reach your goals, you still can achieve great things and that is what Peterson is living proof of."