Cross Country Named USTFCCCA All-Academic

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The South Dakota State cross country teams were named All-Academic teams for the seventh consecutive time, 11th time overall, since becoming Division I according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Thursday.

Seniors Kyle Burdick and Rachel King were also named to the All-Academic individual team for the second times in their respective careers.

Burdick keeps the men's cross country streak of now four individuals honored consecutively (since 2015) and King is the all-time women's leader in cross country or track and field for most times named to the USTFCCCA honor list (5 times).

The women's team held the sixth-highest GPA (3.71) among the 232 NCAA DI schools represented on the list, the best mark among Summit League schools and second in the Midwest Region behind Iowa State (fifth, 3.75 GPA). The team's cumulative GPA this year is the second-highest highest behind the 2007 squad.

Last year, the team was tied for the what is now the fourth-highest GPA (3.68) with the 2008 season (3.72 GPA in 2007, 3.71 GPA in 2018, 3.69 GPA in 2016, 3.68 in 2017 and 2008).

The men's team posted the 20th-best GPA (3.51) out of 195 DI schools honored, the second-best mark in the league behind Purdue Fort Wayne (19th, 3.52 GPA) and fourth in the Midwest Region. It is their highest-ever team average, beating last year's average (3.41) and the 2014's GPA (3.49).

Burdick, majoring in natural resource law enforcement, was named to last year's team while also being an honoree for the track and field season along with 2018 graduate Colton Bender. Combining his track (2) and cross country all-academic teams (2), he's now been a part of four lists.

King, studying health education, was named to her first cross country list last year while adding her third consecutive individual honor in track last season. Sara Ackman (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10) and Michelle Schuch (2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10) were each nominated three times for the second-most by an individual State student-athlete.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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UP NEXT: JACKRABBITS HOST SDSU LAST CHANCE (Feb. 15) - Schedule
The track and field teams will host the SDSU Last Chance on Friday as the final tune-up before opening the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex to The Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 22-23. See full information on the home meets in the "Home Meet Info" page.

SELECTION PROCCESS
Team -

Must have started at least five (5) runners at an NCAA Division I Regional Cross Country meet during the most recent Cross Country season.
Cumulative team GPA at the end of the most recent semester/quarter of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, computed by the following method:
1. Total the cumulative number of semester hours or quarter hours earned for all student-athletes on the NCAA Squad List who used a season of eligibility, including the most recent grading period;
2. Total the cumulative number of grade points earned by all student-athletes who used a season of eligibility, including the most recent grading period;
3. Divide the cumulative number of grade points/quality points earned by the cumulative number of semester or quarter hours earned.
4. Institutions utilizing a different GPA scale than 4.0 then must convert the GPA to a 4.0 scale using the standard conversion method [GPA/Scale x 4.0].
Nomination forms are available online at the USTFCCCA website and must be submitted to the national office before the deadline published by the national office.

Individual -

Awarded to all nominated student-athletes who meet the following criteria:
1. Cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period. Institutions utilizing a different GPA scale must convert the GPA to a 4.0 scale using the standard conversion method [GPA/Scale x 4.0].
2. USTFCCCA Division I Cross Country All-American finisher or top 15 finisher (or top 10%) at an NCAA Division I Cross Country Regional meet.
3. Completed a minimum of one (1) semester or one (1) quarter at the nominating institution.
4. Written nomination of the student-athlete's coach.
Nomination forms are available online at the USTFCCCA website and must be received by the national office before the deadline published by the national office.

-GoJacks.com-

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Players Mentioned

Kyle Burdick

Rachel King

Completed Event: Men's Cross Country versus NCAA Championship on November 22, 2025 , , No Team Score

Completed Event: Men's Cross Country versus NCAA Midwest Regionals on November 14, 2025 , , 10th of 30 -- 252

Completed Event: Men's Cross Country at Summit League Championship on November 1, 2025 , , 1st of 7 -- 38

Completed Event: Men's Cross Country at Mount Marty Invite on October 23, 2025 , , 4th of 5 -- 94

Completed Event: Men's Cross Country at Platte River Rumble on October 17, 2025 , , 2nd of 8 -- 65

Completed Event: Men's Cross Country at Pre-Nationals on October 17, 2025 , , 17th of 32 -- 392

South Dakota State University Athletics