NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its final academic awards for the 2026 indoor and outdoor track and field seasons on Monday, with the eight Hillcats from both teams receiving honors.
 
The following student-athletes have been recognized as All-Academic Athletes from the women's team: Cadence Cordova (Business Administration), Brooklyn Garafola (Psychology), Kenzie Gilliam (Elementary Education), Stella Jones (Allied Health Sciences) and Sisely Mitchell (Medical/Molecular Biology). To earn this distinction, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 by the end of the competition semester and meet either an automatic or provisional qualifying standard in an individual or relay event during the indoor or outdoor season.
 
On the men's side, Ian Conder (History), Nathaneal Gibson (Sports Management) and Phillip Owens (Business Information Technology) have received the same honor. These requirements mirror those of their female teammates, emphasizing academic excellence and competitive achievement.
 
Both the men's and women's teams received USTFCCCA All-Academic honors for maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The RSU men's team ended the year with a GPA of 3.54, while the women's team achieved a GPA of 3.50. This honor is given to teams with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, as confirmed by the institution's registrar.
 
For more information, visit 2026 USTFCCCA Track & Field Academic Awards ::: USTFCCCA.