NEW ORLEANS – Following a historic season on the course, the Davis & Elkins College men's and women's cross country teams also excelled in the classroom, earning USTFCCCA All-Academic Team and individual honors for the 2025 NCAA Division II season.
The All-Academic Teams and Athletes were announced Thursday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
The D&E men's team posted a 3.11 cumulative GPA, while the women's team recorded an impressive 3.72 GPA. To qualify for team honors, programs must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and compete at their respective regional championships.
The women's team was named to the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country All-Academic Team, while the men earned recognition on the men's side.
The honors cap a standout year for both programs. The women captured the Mountain East Conference championship and advanced to the national stage for the third consecutive season. The men finished second in the MEC and also made their third straight appearance at the national level.
In addition to team recognition, several Senators earned All-Academic Athlete honors.
On the men's side, Cooper Gibson (Business) and Fletcher Van Heuven (Sports Management) were named to the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country All-Academic Athletes list. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA and finish in the top 30 percent at their regional meet.
All seven members of the women's top squad earned individual All-Academic Athlete honors:
Zoe Belshan (Nursing)
Lydia Falkenstein (Psychology & Human Services)
Savanna Hardman (English)
Brooke Jacobs (Business Management & Chemistry)
Jeanne Pelissier (Biology and Environmental Science)
Rebecca Tellez (Exercise Science)
Lauren Twyman (Biology)
The women were recognized as 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Cross Country All-Academic Athletes after meeting the same academic and competitive standards.
The academic honors reflect the dedication and balance of the Senators' student-athletes, who paired championship-level performances with excellence in the classroom.
Davis & Elkins continues to build a tradition of success both athletically and academically under head coach Jason Pyles, with the cross country programs setting the standard across the Mountain East Conference and NCAA Division II.
