Richardson will compete for a national title in the 5,000 meter run (Harvard Athletic Communications).

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Junior Claire Richardson of the Harvard cross country and track and field teams has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District cross country/track and field first team, the organization announced Thursday. This marks the second straight year Richardson has received Academic All-District accolades, as she garnered a second-team nod last season. With the first-team nod, Richardson is eligible for Academic All-America status which will be announced later this month.         

Richardson, a neurobiology concentrator, had a stellar junior season for the Crimson, beginning with a cross country campaign that saw her take the title at the HYP meet, garner All-Ivy League status and qualify for the NCAA Championships. She was named to the Fall Academic All-Ivy squad and the USTFCCCA All-Academic team following the 2009 cross country season. Richardson went on to break the school record in the 3,000 meter run at the ECAC Championships and help set a school record as part of the first-place distance medley relay team at the Penn Relays.

The St. Paul, Minn., native qualified for the NCAA Outdoor National Championships in her most recent outing, placing ninth in the national semifinal 5,000 meter race. She will compete for a national title in the event in Eugene, Ore., June 9-12.