HAMPTON, Va. (July 17th, 2024) – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its All-Academic teams and athletes for the 2024 season on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lady Pirates were awarded an All-Academic team, while seven individuals from both the men's and women's teams were honored. Those included Oluwatomilayo Akintunde, Dejah Grant, Nya Harmon, Jordan Mozie, Emmani Shaw, Damali Williams, and Dugion Blackman.

"This is a huge recognition and awards for our student-athletes," said Coach Maurice Pierce. "Our track & field teams continue to show that we put a priority on academics the same as we do for athletics. I'd like to thank our athletic-academic support staff for all of their tireless support."

For a team to qualify as an All-Academic team, the cumulative GPA for all the student-athletes on the institution's NCAA Squad List for Indoor and/or Outdoor track and field must be 3.0 or higher. The Lady Pirates finished the season with a 3.38 GPA. 

To be named an All-Academic athlete, the athlete must have a cumulative GPA of more than 3.25. They also need to achieve a certain level of performance in the indoor or outdoor season.

For an athlete to qualify in the indoor season, they must have finished the season ranked in the top 96 in any championship individual event, or in the top 48 in any championship relay event, for the most recent indoor season. In outdoor, the athlete must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships (the Preliminary Championship Competition and/or the Final Championship Competition) or must have finished the season ranked in the top 48 in the East or top 48 in the West for the most recent outdoor season. All seven of the athletes that were named All-Academic athletes competed in the Preliminary Round of the NCAA Championship.