THIBODAUX, La. -- After having 10 student-athletes named to the Southland Conference Cross Country All-Academic team, the Nicholls State University men's and women's cross-country teams were named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as announced by the organization on Thursday afternoon.
In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period. On the men's side the Colonels were one of seven SLC institutions and one of three schools in the state of Louisiana that were represented on the list. The Red & Gray women's unit were one of eight SLC schools and one of three in state institutions that were represented on the list.
The men's team made the USTFCCCA All-Academic team after posting a 3.54 cumulative GPA. The squad had five members named to the Southland Conference All-Academic team. seniors
William Bellina and
Chase Walker, junior
Alex Hartline, and sophomores
Ty Fraizer and
Brady Sins. Bellina, Walker, and Sins hold 4.0 GPAs while Fraizer and Hartline have a 3.40 and 3.38, respectively.
The women's squad made the USTFCCCA All-Academic team after posting a 3.5 cumulative GPA. The team had five members named to the SLC All-Academic team. Senior
Anne De Jong, junior Isabelle Sejilhouwer, and sophomores
Kalynn Beacom,
Lotte Aerts, and
Ana Letran Cartes. Aerts holds a 4.0 GPA followed by Seijlhouwer (3.92), De Jong (3.90), Beacom (3.70), and Cartes (3.40).
Nicholls cross country head coach
Stefanie Slekis spoke about the teams' commitment in the classroom and on the course.
"I am continuously impressed by our student-athletes commitment to their coursework. During the cross-country season, we are doing a lot of volume in training while having really early practices 6 days per week and our student-athletes were able to prioritize getting adequate sleep to train and compete at their best while also having the time management to continue to excel at such a high level in the classroom. It is great to see them recognized with this award and continue the great tradition we have of earning it for our program," Slekis said.
