NEW ORLEANS, La. - Freshman pole vaulter Reese Burnside has been named an NCAA Division II Track & Field All-Academic Athlete by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Burnside becomes the first Hilltopper in recorded history from the Men's Track and Field program to earn a spot on the USTFCCCA Men's All-Academic Team.
The West Union, W.Va. native was a standout in the classroom his first year on the hilltop as a Speech Pathology and Audiology major.
To be recognized as an All-Academic athlete by the USTFCCCA student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale through the end of the semester of competition, complete at least 24 semester hours/36 quarter hours through the end of the semester of competition, and have achieved an automatic or provisional qualifying mark (individual or relay event) for either the indoor season or outdoor season.
More than 400 student-athletes at the NCAA Division II level join Burnside on the list. The USTFCCCA has been highlighting academic excellence by student-athletes in the sport since 1995.