The Minnesota men’s cross country team was represented by six student-athletes on the Academic All-Big Ten Team released on Thursday. All six honorees were also competitors on the Golden Gophers’ NCAA Cross Country Championships lineup.

NCAA All-Midwest Region honorees Mike Torchia and Pieter Gagnon led the Gopher contingent on the Conference honor squad. Torchia earned Academic All-America honors a year ago; an award that couples the cross country and track seasons.

Kevin Lachowitzer, Andrew Larson, Mike McFarland and Sean Olson were also named Academic All-Big Ten Team honorees.

Student-athletes must maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average, earn a varsity letter and be in at least the second year at the institution to be eligible for the award.