NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Vanderbilt men’s and women’s cross country teams were well represented in All-Academic Awards as released by the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Thursday.
Both the men’s and women’s squads were both named All-Academic Teams, with the men’s team grade-point average of 3.772 leading all Division I men’s programs. The women posted a GPA of 3.606 to also make the list. Vandy’s men’s and women’s teams have both been named All-Academic by the USTFCCCA every year since the award was introduced in 2010.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment to be recognized by our governing body for our programs’ accomplishments,” said director of cross country, track and field Althea Thomas. “Our student-athletes proudly work hard in the classroom and on the course. At Vanderbilt, we aim to prove that it is possible to be both a great student and a competitive athlete in the NCAA. I’m proud of both our men’s and women’s teams for upholding that standard. For our men to be recognized as having the highest GPA in the entire nation is a tremendous honor.”
In addition, Niki Narayani was named an All-Academic Athlete by the USTFCCCA. To earn that distinction, a student-athlete had to earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and either finish in the top-25 at an NCAA Regional or earn All-America honors at the NCAA Championship meet.
Narayani gives Vanderbilt its 17th All-Academic Athlete in women’s cross country. McKenzie Yanek was the last to earn the honor in 2021. Narayani placed 23rd at the NCAA South Regional last fall and is majoring in medicine, health and society.
