NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced its yearly All-Academic Athletes and All-Academic Teams on Thursday. The Central Arkansas men's and women's track & field teams both earned the team award, while Ajah Criner and Zachary Jewell collected individual recognition for the third time in their careers.
 
Criner, a senior from Hope, Arkansas, earned her third USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete selection. She qualified for the NCAA West Prelims in the 100m and 200m. She holds the UCA record in the 200m and is a member of the 4x400m relay team that holds the best time in program history for indoor. Outdoor, she finished the season 33rd overall in the 100m, which qualified her for the USTFCCCA honor. She has been outstanding in the classroom with a 3.76 GPA in the pursuit of a degree in athletic training.
 
Jewell, a senior from Mena, Arkansas, tallied his third USTFCCCA All-Academic accolade. He is a Second-Team All-American in the 100m as he placed 16th at the NCAA Championships. He qualified for the NCAA West Prelims in the 100m and 200m. He set the UCA record in the 100m and 200m this season. He posted the fourth-best time in the West Region with a 10.07 in the 100m. He has compiled a perfect 4.0 GPA in the pursuit of a Master of Geo. Info Systems.
 
In order for a student-athlete to be eligible for All-Academic honors, they must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, certifiable by either NCAA Faculty Rep or NCAA Compliance Coordinator or Registrar's Office. Institutions utilizing a different GPA scale must convert the GPA to a 4.0 scale using the standard conversion method. The student-athlete must have completed at least two (2) semesters or three (3) quarters at the nominating institution. Athletic criteria for the award, for the indoor season, must have finished the season ranked in the top 96 in any championship individual event, or in the top 48 in any championship relay event, for the most recent indoor season, certifiable by their place on final season performance lists on TFRRS for Indoor Track and Field (including performances achieved outside the qualifying window during the indoor season). For the outdoor season: must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships (the Preliminary Championship Competition and/or the Final Championship Competition) or for the multi-events, must have finished the season ranked in the top 48 in the East or top 48 in the West for the most recent outdoor season, certifiable by their place on the NCAA Division I descending order lists on TFRRS for Outdoor Track and Field.
 
This is the fifth-consecutive year that both the men's and women's teams achieved USTFCCCA All-Academic Team status. The women led the way for the Bears with a combined 3.42 GPA, while the men posted a 3.01 team GPA.
 
In order to meet the criteria for being named an All-Academic Team a team must have a cumulative GPA (not 2018-19 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, including the most recent grading period, certifiable by either NCAA faculty rep or NCAA compliance coordinator or registrar's office.
 
Men's All-Academic Team | Women's All-Academic Team
Men's All-Academic Athlete | Women's All-Academic Athlete
 
 
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