The Colorado Northwestern Community College Women’s Cross Country team won the NJCAA “National Academic Team of the Year” award for the 2003-2004 year with a 3.44 overall team grade point average. The National Junior College Athletic Association awards “Academic Team of the Year” honors in each sport to the two-year college team with the highest mean grade point average. Only one of 503 two-year member colleges in the country is recognized for each sport. The association is the national governing body of 15 men's and women's sports over three divisions.

Cross Country coach Matt Scoggins said, “This is a real accomplishment for our girls, our program and our college.  It is great to see success both on and off the field.”

In only its third year as a sport at Colorado Northwestern, the Lady Spartans finished 8^th at the NJCAA National Cross Country meet on Nov. 8, 2003 in Lawrence, KS. The team was led by freshman runner Kimberly Smith who finished 6^th place overall, earning All-American honors.

Freshman Kimberly Smith (Eagle, CO), sophomore Drea Ibarra (Johnstown, CO), sophomore Michelle Miller (Bayfield, CO), freshman Jennifer Westfall (Paradox, CO), freshman Rachel Whiting (Colorado Springs, CO) and freshman Rebecca Crookston (Rangely, CO) make up the team.