HANSEN, XC TEAMS HONORED FOR ACADEMICS

NEW ORLEANS — The South Dakota State men's and women's cross country teams have each been named U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Teams. Individually, Leah Hansen was also honored as a 2021 NCAA Division I Cross Country Women's All-Academic Athlete.

A total of 179 women's team and 150 men's teams were recognized, having met the required qualification of a team cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Six women's teams and five men's team from the Summit League received the honor.

On the women's side, SDSU, the defending back-to-back Summit League champion, led with a league-best 3.776 GPA, followed by North Dakota State with a 3.609. Omaha, St. Thomas and South Dakota followed closely behind with GPAs in the 3.54 to 3.55 range. Western Illinois rounded out the women honorees with a 3.51 GPA.

On the men's side, South Dakota State, who won its league-record sixth straight championship this past fall, earned a 3.369 GPA. NDSU claimed a league-high 3.605 GPA while USD followed behind with a 3.55 GPA. St. Thomas and Western Illinois rounded out the men's accolades with 3.275 and 3.17 GPAs, respectively.

Hansen, who has won consecutive Summit League individual titles and also was an all-region performer in 2021, was the only athlete from the league — male or female — to be honored individually. A total of 114 women from 58 different institutions were recognized.

To qualify for All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-25 (or 10 percent) at the NCAA Regional Championships or as an All-American at the NCAA Championships.

Women's USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams
South Dakota State - 3.776 GPA
North Dakota State - 3.609
Omaha - 3.55
St. Thomas - 3.545
South Dakota - 3.54
Western Illinois - 3.51

Men's USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams
North Dakota State - 3.605 GPA
South Dakota - 3.55
South Dakota State - 3.369
St. Thomas - 3.275
Western Illinois - 3.17

-GoJacks.com-

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Players Mentioned

Leah Hisken

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country versus NCAA Midwest Regionals on November 14, 2025 , , 10th of 32 -- 319

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at Summit League Championship on November 1, 2025 , , 2nd of 8 -- 53

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at Platte River Rumble on October 17, 2025 , , 3rd of 7 -- 82

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at Pre-Nationals on October 17, 2025 , , 22nd of 38 -- 590

Completed Event: Women's Cross Country at Holiday Inn Express Classic on October 11, 2025 , , 3rd of 17 -- 76

Cancelled Event: Women's Cross Country versus SDSU Classic

South Dakota State University Athletics