New Orleans, La. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced its academic awards for the 2020-21 collegiate track & field seasons. 

Both the men's and women's track & field programs at Central were recognized as NAIA All-Academic teams, and seven members of the men's side were named NAIA All-Academic Athletes, while four members of the women's side were also recognized.

The men finished 2020-21 academic year with a 3.0 grade point average, highlighted by Alexander Alaya, Nehemiah Colyer, Hayden Hackman, Curtis Johns, Radovan Kemboi, Brennan Moots, and Mohammed Nyaoga. The women posted a final GPA of 3.63, and were led by Kailey Johnson, Sarah King, Lilian Patterson and Lisa Sauter. Overall, 11 CMU track & field athletes were recognized as NAIA All-Academic Athletes.

In order to be recognized as an NAIA All-Academic 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.
• 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 NAIA All-Academic team, the following criteria mst be met.

• The cumulative GPA (not 2020-21 academic year, not semester) for all student-athletes on the institution's NCAA Squad List for Indoor and/or Outdoor Track and Field must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, certifiable by the institution's registrar.
• Transfer students and/or graduate students are to include only grades earned at the current nominating institution.
• The cumulative GPA of all student-athletes on the institution's NCAA Squad List for Indoor and/or Outdoor Track and 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 NCAA Squad List including the most recent grading period;
  • Total the cumulative number of quality points (GPA multiplied by the number of credit hours) 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.

Central concluded the year with 11 total NAIA All-Americans, including seven at the Outdoor National Championships this past May in Gulf Shores, Ala.

To view the complete lists of the USTFCCCA Academci Awards, please click here.

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