NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross County Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recently announced its All-Academic Awards and both the Gustavus men and women received recognition.
The Gustie men earned All-Academic Team honors with a 3.34 team cumulative GPA. The Gustie women also earned All-Academic Team recognition with a 3.59 cumulative GPA.
Four Gusties were also named All-Academic Athletes – Katie Keelin (Sr., Burnsville), Birgen Nelson (Fy., Edina), Steven Orzolek (So., Darwin), and Annika Poe (Fy., Big Lake). To earn the individual award, student-athletes must have a minimum GPA of 3.30 and must have finished the indoor season among the nation’s top 50 in their event. Keelin posted a weight throw distance of 54-6 at the Ted Nelson Classic to rank No. 29 in Division III. Nelson ran the eighth-fastest 60-meter hurdles during the 2020 indoor season with a time of 8.81 at the MIAC Championships. Orzolek ranked No. 20 in Division III in the shot put with a throw of 53-6.25 at the MIAC Indoor Championships. Poe tallied a distance of 42-11.5 in the shot put at the MIAC Championships, which ranked 36th in the nation.