Lobos Excel in Classroom, Named All-Academic by USTFCCCA

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The University of New Mexico track and field programs recorded nine All-Academic Athletes between the two teams as well as having both programs recognized on the All-Academic Teams as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Thursday.

Four Lobos also carried a GPA of 4.0 or above.

The women registered five All-Academics in Abigail Bendle (exercise science), Adva Cohen (business), Lydia Hallam (physical education), Gracelyn Larkin (exercise science) and Emily Martin (nursing). Bendle, Hallam and Martin each carried over a 4.0 GPA. In addition, Martin, Bendle and Cohen also earned All-American this year after qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships.

On the men’s side, Tanner Battikha (exercise science), Ryan Chase (business administration), Gavin Sleeter (communication) and Max Wharton (master’s in sport administration) all earned All-Academic.  Battikha notably finished his collegiate career with over a 4.0 GPA.

To be named an All-Academic Team, the cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The women qualified with a 3.36 while the men qualified with a 3.27.

Both programs are coming off of program-record GPAs with the women recording a 3.73 and the men a 3.66.

The criteria for being named an All-Academic Athlete combine both academic and athletic achievement. Qualification requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, the completion of at least two semesters and must have finished the indoor 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 as determined by the descending order lists on TFRRRS.

Overall, there were 264 women’s programs, 199 men’s programs, 452 men from 126 institutions and 659 women from 178 institutions named All-Academic.