New Orleans, LA. – After an impressive Fall season, the SBU cross country team gets to celebrate their success off the course with academic honors. Three Bearcats earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Awards while both men's and women's team earned the team award.
 
Senior Olivia Littleton, Sophomore Natalie Gerdes, and Junior Kiersten Potter all garnered the 2025 NCAA Division II women's cross country All-Academic award. In order to qualify for this distinction, the athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and finish in the top-30 percent in the regional championship. At the regional race this past Fall, Littleton had her career best finish at 33^rd, while Potter finished just behind her at 39^th. Gerdes also earned points for the Bearcats with a 44^th place finish, for all three to earn this honor.
 
On top of the three athletes winning the award, both men's and women's teams qualified for the USTFCCCA All-Academic team award. In order for teams to qualify for this award, they much have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and compile a team score at the regional championship meet. The women qualified with a team GPA of 3.65 while the men accumulated a 3.39 GPA.