NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Thursday (July 28) the team and individuals recognized as the organization’s 2016 All-Academic Team and All-Academic Individuals.
Of the USTFCCCA’s honorees, five Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women’s track & field programs along with three men’s squads achieved the standard set by the coaching association. To qualify, teams must have a minimum 3.10 team grade-point average; 175 women’s teams and 112 men’s squads reached or surpassed the threshold.
Both the men’s and women’s programs from Albion, Calvin, and Hope were named to the All-Academic Team listing, along with the women’s squads from Adrian and Olivet.
Individually, 10 MIAA women’s track & field student-athletes and five men’s student-athletes etched their names among the nation’s academic and athletic elite. To be considered, student-athletes must compile a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and compete either at an NCAA Championship or finish the regular season ranked in the top 35 in an individual event or in the top 25 in a relay event.
Overall, 423 women and 293 men were honored at the NCAA Division III level by the USTFCCCA on their academic individual listings.
2016 USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams / Individuals
MIAA Team - Men
Albion - story link
Calvin - story link
Hope - story link
MIAA Team - Women
Adrian - story link
Albion - story link
Calvin - story link
Hope - story link
Olivet - story link
MIAA Individuals - Men
Andrew Philipose, Calvin College
Ethan Valentine, Calvin College
Benjamin Pederson, Hope College
Matthew Pelyhes, Hope College
Boone Marois, Hope College
Individuals - Women
Takiyah Smith, Adrian College
Jessica Shaw, Albion College
Kaitlyn Arnold, Alma College - story link
McKenzie Diemer, Calvin College
Jenna Dyksen, Calvin College
Lauren Strohbehn, Calvin College
Julia Stock, Hope College
Erin Herrmann, Hope College
Jane Pearson, Hope College
Alison Rich, Hope College
Additional information provided by USTFCCCA.
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