North Dakota State Women’s Track & Field Achieves Academic Recognition
The North Dakota State University (NDSU) women’s track and field team has received noteworthy acknowledgment from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their academic accomplishments. This recognition highlights the team’s commitment to both athletics and scholarship.
Team Achievement
For the 20th consecutive year, the NDSU women’s track and field team has garnered the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award. The team achieved an impressive cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.67, surpassing the required minimum GPA of 3.00 set for this accolade.
Individual Honors
In addition to the team recognition, nine student-athletes from the Bison were individually honored as All-Academic performers. The recipients of this honor are:
- Sydney Arndt – GPA: 3.75, Major: Management Communication
- Arienne Birch – GPA: 3.60, Major: Biological Sciences
- Grace Emineth – GPA: 3.79, Major: Pharmacy
- Jacee Johannsen – GPA: 3.81, Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Adison Kapitzke – GPA: 3.44, Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Allison Otto-Fitzsimons – GPA: 3.87, Major: Exercise Science
- Merrideth Spiers – GPA: 4.00, Major: Psychology, Criminal Justice
- Annabel Thorstenson – GPA: 4.00, Major: Criminal Justice
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify as USTFCCCA All-Academic, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and meet specific athletic standards. These standards include:
- Indoor Season: Ranking in the national top 96 in an individual event or in the top 48 in a relay event based on the official NCAA performance list.
- Outdoor Season: Participation in any round of the NCAA Division I Championships, which includes preliminary rounds.
Returning Scholars
Among this year’s All-Academic selections, Arienne Birch, Grace Emineth, and Merrideth Spiers have been recognized again for their academic excellence, having received the same honor in the previous year.
This accomplishment underscores the dedication of North Dakota State’s women’s track and field athletes to balancing their sports endeavors with academic excellence, reaffirming the importance of education in collegiate athletics.
