Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney cross country team has placed three men and six women on the 2024 U.S. Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic team.

In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-30 percent of their respective regional championship meet, among other qualifiers.

UNK also earned "Team Academic" honors as both squads posted 3.00 cumulative grade point averages, the Loper women at a 3.848 (fifth nationally) and the men recording a 3.496 (69th nationally). The University of Mary (N.D.) ranked first on the women's side (3.984) with the University of Findlay (Ohio) repeating as the men's leader (3.777).

This past fall, the UNK men placed 25th at the NCAA Division II Championships with the women finishing seventh out of 32 teams at the Central Regional meet. Central City junior Ella Buhlke then qualified for the NCAA's. 

 

Payton Davis (Sr., David City)	Social Science Education
Juan Garcia (So., Grand Island)	Computer Science
Brett Schoenhofer (Sr., Andover, Kan.)	Business Administration
Noelle Abels (R-So., Omaha)	Communication Disorders
Ella Buhlke (Jr., Central City)	Biology
Reece Ewoldt (Fr., Blair)	Cyber Security Operations
Brynn Hirschfeld (R-So., York)	Biology
Jordan Soto-Stopak (Sr., Albion)	Psychology
Kassidy Stuckey (Fr., McCool Junction)	Biology