CONWAY, Ark. _ Three University of Central Arkansas track and field athletes earned national All-Academic honors this week from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association (UTSFCCCA). Both UCA's men's and women's teams were honored as well.

    UCA's student-athletes honored include Alex Hanson of Thatham, England, for the men and Ajah Criner of Stephens, Ark., and Gracie Hyde of Benton, Ark., for the women.

    To qualify for USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and have met at least one of the following athletic standards:

    • For the indoor season, a student-athlete must have finished the regular season ranked in the national top 96 in an individual event or ranked in the national top 48 (collective listing) in a relay event on the official NCAA POP list provided by TFRRS.org.
    • For the outdoor season, a student-athlete must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Championships (including preliminary rounds).
    
    Hyde, a freshman majoring in exercise science, earned All-Southland Conference honors in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and was the SLC Freshman of the Year in cross country and the Runner of the Year in outdoor track after winning two events.

    Criner, a junior in pre-athletic training, set numerous school records in both the indoor and outdoor seasons and was a second-team All-SLC selection in indoor and a two-time third-team All-SLC in outdoor track.

    Hanson, a junior marketing major, earned second-team All-SLC honors in indoor track after a runnerup and school-record finish in the 800 meters. He was also second-team All-Conference in cross country, helping the Bears win their first SLC championship last fall.