INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- Butler track and cross country standouts Katie Clark and Mara Olson have been named to the Capital One Academic All-District V University Division Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Team, chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).  The two were among 11 student-athletes named to the District V all-academic squad.

Both Butler runners are cross country All-Americans, and both helped the Bulldogs to a third place finish at the NCAA Division I Women's Cross Country Championship last fall.  It was the highest national finish by a Butler team outside of men's basketball.  Olson placed 26th at the national meet to earn 2013 All-America recognition, while Clark narrowly missed the national honor with a 41st place finish.  Clark was a 2012 women's cross country All-American.

A graduate student with a 4.0 grade point average in school counseling, Clark earned third team Capital One Academic All-America recognition a year ago.  She was named to the Capital One Academic All-District V team for the second straight year.  In addition to her success on Butler's cross country teams, the Hull, U.K., native is the Butler school record-holder in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs as a member of the Bulldogs' track and field squad.

Olson, a biology major with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, is wrapping up one of the most successful years ever compiled by a Butler track and cross country athlete.  In addition to her All-America recognition in cross country, she became the first Butler female athlete to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Track Championship this spring.  There, she earned second team All-America honors and received the NCAA's Elite 89 Award, given to the athlete with the highest grade point average competing at the national championship.

The Butler record-holder in the 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs in indoor track is currently one of four Bulldogs competing at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field East Regional in Jacksonville, Fla.  She's entered in the 5,000 meter run, which will take place on Saturday evening.  The Butler junior from Minneapolis, Minn., was runner-up in the 5,000 meter run at the BIG EAST Championship this year.   

The 11 student-athletes named to the District V Academic Squad, which represents Division I schools from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio, are now eligible for the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America Team.