New Orleans, La. - The Central Methodist Men's Track and Field program boasted several notable academic achievements in 2024-25, which were recognized by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association this week. | USTFCCCA RELEASE

Highlighting the year was junior thrower Brayton Stephenson, who was named the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track & Field National Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year. 

It marks the first time in program history that a male athlete has earned such an honor, and the second time an Eagle, male or female, has been recognized. 

Renee Finke earned the honor on the women's side during the 2024 outdoor campaign. 

In addition, six members of the program were named NAIA All-Academic by the Association. Those student-athletes are: Hunter Mont Cary, Colder Evans, Doriye Jackson, Ethan Smith, Brayton Stephenson, and Adam Trachsel.

In order to be recognized as an All-Academic student-athlete, the following criteria must be met:

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale through the end of the semester of competition. Institutions utilizing a different GPA scale must convert the GPA to a 4.0 scale using the standard conversion method [GPA/Scale x 4.0]. Data must be certifiable by the institution's registrar.
• Must have completed at least 24 semester hours/36 quarter hours through the end of the semester of competition at the institution.
• Transfer students and/or graduate students are to include only grades earned at the current nominating institution.
• The student-athlete must have achieved an automatic or provisional qualifying mark (individual or relay event) for either the indoor season or outdoor season.

In order to be recognized as an All-Academic team, the following criteria must be met:

• The cumulative GPA (not 2024-25 academic year, not semester) for all student-athletes on the institution's eligibility certificate for Indoor and/or Outdoor Track & Field must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, certifiable by either Faculty Rep, Compliance Coordinator, or Registrar's Office.
• The cumulative GPA of all student-athletes on the institution's eligibility certificate for Indoor and/or Outdoor Track & Field must be computed by the following method:
  • Total the cumulative number of semester hours or quarter hours earned for all student-athletes on the eligibility certificate, including the most recent grading period;
  • Total the cumulative number of quality points earned by all student-athletes, including the most recent grading period;
  • Divide the cumulative number of quality points earned by the cumulative number of semester or quarter hours earned.
  • Institutions utilizing a different GPA scale than 4.0 must convert the GPA to a 4.0 scale using the standard conversion method [GPA/Scale x 4.0].

As a team, the CMU Men bolstered a 3.00 grade point average.

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