The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recently announced the 2016 All-Academic track and field teams and individual athletes.
 
The Aurora University women's track and field team was one of 287 NCAA men's and women's teams that earned All-Academic honors. The team ended the season with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.19. 
 
For teams to qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic team, they must have a cumulative GPA of 3.10 or higher and must have competed in at least five different meets.
 
Additionally, three Spartan student-athletes, one male and two females earned All-Academic Track and Field status.

Senior Talia Sheedlo, a nursing major, finished sixth in the pentathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships and was sixth in the heptathlon at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. With those two finishes, she earned two NCAA All-American honors.
 
Senior Brian Rudelich, a criminal justice major, finished 13th in the high jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Junior elementary education major Lisa Rodriguez was part of the 4x100 meter relay team that finished 11th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

To qualify as a student-athlete for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and compete in the NCAA Indoor or Outdoor Championships or finish the regular season ranked in the national top 35 in an individual event or ranked in the national top 25 in a relay event.