NEW ORLEANS— The Colorado Mesa University men's and women's cross country teams and a program record-setting 10 individuals were recognized for their academic accomplishments by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, which released its annual academic awards this week.
The Maverick men and women were both recognized by the USTFCCCA as an NCAA Division II All-Academic Team for the seventh consecutive year.
The Mavericks also had a program-record seven women and three men named as USTFCAAA All-Academic Athletes. The Mavs ten total selections doubled their previous record of five, set a year ago.
The list of seven women includes
Quin Gregg,
Lauren Hodges,
Megan Hodges,
Wehazit Kelati,
Daisy Lalonde,
Autumn McQuitty and
Jordan Staniszewski. The Mavs' three men's honorees are
Chase Brown,
Colton White and
Clayton Wilson.
Brown,
Megan Hodges and McQuitty were all named to the 2024 USTFCCCA All-Academic. The seven other Mavericks are first team awardees.
To be eligible for the team award, squads must have a cumulative GPA or 3.0 or higher and compile a team score at their respective regional meet.
Both Maverick squads, under the direction of CMU Director of Track & Field/Cross Country
Travis Floeck, were well above that cutoff with the women posting a 3.57 GPA while earning a second straight NCAA Division II Championship bid. The Mavs then went on to record their best ever national championship finish.
The Maverick men recorded a 3.52 GPA and took ninth at the regional championships.
In order to qualify for USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete distinction, individual student-athletes must have at least a 3.25 or higher cumulative GPA and finish in the top 30 percent of the individual runners at the regional or the top 50 percent of the national championships.
