NEW ORLEANS — The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) capped off its awards season on Monday when it publicly revealed its All-Academic Athletes and All-Academic Teams, along with several additional awards. While seven Montreat College student-athletes claimed honors, Heather Murphy ultimately headlined the group as the recipient of the USTFCCCA's NAIA Women's Outdoor Track Scholar Athlete of the Year accolade.
 
For Murphy and the Cavaliers, the award marked the first such recognition in program history.
 
A two-time NAIA national champion during the 2026 outdoor track & field season, Murphy also took home USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete status. Emma Barnes and Macy Parks joined Murphy in capturing All-Academic Athlete honors. Meanwhile, Brock Lauer, Hugo Petat-Hemono, Cameron Rice and Ryan Stade secured All-Academic Athlete nods on the men's side.
 
To qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale while attending his or her current institution for at least two semesters or three quarters. Additionally, a student-athlete must achieve an 'A' or 'B' standard in a championship event during the indoor or outdoor track & field seasons.
 
For a full look at the men's All-Academic Athletes, click here. To see the entire list of women's All-Academic Athletes, click here.
 
Along with the individual accolades, the USTFCCCA also unveiled its All-Academic Teams. Both the Montreat College men's and women's track & field programs met the necessary requirements to garner the team awards. On the women's side, the Cavs racked up a 3.56 GPA, while the men accumulated a 3.2 GPA. To be eligible for USTFCCCA All-Academic Team status, a squad's cumulative GPA must be at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
 
For the complete list of men's All-Academic Teams, click here. To view the women's All-Academic Teams, click here.
 
The Montreat College men's and women's track & field/cross country teams are coming off an academic year in which both ranked inside the top 10 of the USTFCCCA Program of the Year standings. Overall, the Cavalier men finished eighth, while the women ended ninth.