NEW ORLEANS, La. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its men’s and women's team and individual academic awards last week.
Colorado College, University of Dallas, Southwestern University, Texas Lutheran University and Trinity University had both their men’s and women’s programs receive recognition, while the University of the Ozarks women were also recognized. Colorado College and Trinity had both programs recognized for the fifth consecutive year, while this marks the second straight year both programs from Southwestern and Texas Lutheran have been honored. For the Dallas this marks the second time in the last three years both programs have been recognized and the fifth-straight year for the women’s program. This year marks the third-straight year the Ozarks women’s team has earned USTFCCCA team academic honors.
In total, the 11 SCAC teams recognized are the most by the league since 11 were honored during the 2011 season.
The Colorado College women, led by Alex Nichols, posted the highest GPA among all SCAC programs at 3.828 to garner All-Academic honors. The Tigers were 10th among all 222 women’s team in Division III to receive recognition. In total, three SCAC women’s programs landed inside the top-65 as Southwestern, coached by Joe Sponsel, posted a 3.75 GPA (26th) and Texas Lutheran, led by Bri Ratliff finished 64th with a team GPA of 3.67. First year SCAC member, Ozarks, coached by Tony Skiles finished with an overall team GPA of 3.55 to secure All-Academic credit. Head coach Emily Daum’s Trinity Tigers earned a 3.511 GPA, while Dallas, led by Nick Schneigert, also eanred All-Academic honors after posting a 3.23 team GPA.
For a team to be considered for this honor, it must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional meet and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.10 on a 4.0 scale. Overall, there were 421 teams honored by the USTFCCCA, of which 222 were women’s teams and 199 were men’s teams.
Individually, seniors Britt Helgaas (History/Political Science), Isabel Olson (Biology & Ecology), Sydney Rankin (Comparative Literature) and Elliot Singer (Independently Planned Major) of Colorado College, juniors Breanna Steele (Kinesiology) of Southwestern and Abby Goodfried (Political Science) of Colorado College, along with sophomore Charlie Flint (Undeclared) of CC and first-year Charlotte Martin (Computer Science) of Trinity all earned USTFCCCA individual All-Academic recognition on the women’s side.
In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-25 percent of their respective regional championship meet.
On the men’s side, Colorado College led the way among all SCAC institutions receiving recognition with a team GPA of 3.773. That mark was the sixth-best among the 199 men’s teams across Division III to receive academic accolades. Southwestern posted a team GPA of 3.54, Dallas a 3.48, Trinity a 3.453 and Texas Lutheran a 3.31 with each earning team recognition from the USTFCCA.
Individually, Colorado College placed four student-athletes on the USTFCCA All-Academic team, while Trinity was represented by one individual. The CC Tigers to earn individual accolades included juniors Rabbit Barnes (Neuroscience) and Axel Klompareas (Physics), sophomore Will Shiflt (Undeclared) and first-year Vincent Mangat (Undeclared), while Trinity senior Ryan Tresaugue (Biology) rounded out the SCAC individual honorees.
To view the entire list of USTFCCCA Women's Team Academic Award winners, click here.
To view the entire list of USTFCCCA Men's Team Academic Award winners, click here.
To view the entire list of USTFCCCA Women's Individual Academic Award winners, click here.
To view the entire list of USTFCCCA Men's Individual Academic Award winners, click here.
