NEW ORLEANS, La. – Both South Dakota track and field programs where honored by the U.S. Track and Field & Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as All-Academic Teams for a 15^th consecutive season. In addition, 15 Coyote athletes were recognized individually as All-Academic.
 
The USD women's track and field program held a 3.69 cumulative grade-point average, ranking 10^th in the NCAA and first in the Summit League. It is the 13^th consecutive year of a top-30 ranking nationally for the Coyote women. USD's men's squad carries a 3.32 cumulative team GPA.
 
In order to be recognized as a USTFCCCA All-Academic team, a program must hold a combined cumulative GPA above 3.00. Both USD programs have held that distinction since 2011.
 
Futhermore, 15 Coyotes, nine women and six men, also earned USTFCCCA All-Academic individual honors. The award requires student-athletes to carry a cumulative GPA above 3.25 and meet stringent athletic standards. Student-athletes must either compete at any round of the NCAA Outdoor Championships, or be nationally ranked inside the top-96 of an individual event or top-48 of a relay event during the indoor season.
 
USTFCCCA All-Academic Individuals
Spencer Buley, sport marketing & media, pole vault (i), pole vault (o)
Jaden Damiano, business, 60-meter hurdles (i), 110-meter hurdles (o)
Eerik Haamer, neuroscience, pole vault (i)
Beau Karst, undeclared, pole vault (o)
Joe Lynch, accounting, high jump (i), high jump (o)
Landon Olson, finance, high jump (i), high jump (o)
 
Eliza Aitken, business, pole vault (i), pole vault (o)
Gen Hirata, masters in interdisciplinary studies, pole vault (o)
Erin Kinney, masters in kinesiology & sport management, 60-meters (i)
Lydia Knapp, masters in interdisciplinary studies, weight throw (i), hammer throw (o), discus (o)
Cassidy Mooneyhan, psychology, pole vault (i), pole vault (o)
Marleen Mülla, art, pole vault (o)
Sara Reifenrath, computer science, 400-meters (i), 200-meters (o), 400-meters (o)
Averi Schmeichel, nursing, 60-meter hurdles (i), 100-meter hurdles (o), 400-meter hurdles (o)
Anna Willis, undeclared, pole vault (i), pole vault (o)