Men's Track Honored with USTFCCCA Academic Awards
USTFCCCA Release | TU Honors Page
NEW ORLEANS – The Taylor University men's track and field program was recently named a 2021 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Scholar-Team. Additionally, 10 student-athletes earned All-Academic awards for their work in the classroom and on the track.
TU was one of 49 men's programs from the NAIA to receive the award, after posting a collective grade-point average of 3.00 or better. Taylor finished the 2020-2021 year with the best cumulative GPA out of any NAIA men's track and field programs, posting a team mark of 3.64.
In addition to claiming Scholar-Team status, 10 Trojans received individual attention as USTFCCCA Scholar-Athletes for posting cumulative GPA's of 3.25 and above with at least two full semesters completed, while also turning in an A or B standard result in a championship event during the 2021 indoor or outdoor track and field campaign.
Nate Conkel, Daniel Gerber, Sam Hardy, Alex Helmuth, Liam Hesting, Josh Roth, Luke Rovenstine, Caleb Schutte, Derek Van Prooyen and Connor White were each named USTFCCCA Scholar-Athletes for their work in the classroom and on the track.
The TU women's program was also recognized as a Scholar-Team and had eight student-athletes named as USTFCCCA Scholar-Athletes.
During the 2021 indoor season, the Taylor men's track and field program earned USTFCCCA Top-25 ratings, set two new program records, finished sixth at the Crossroads League Championships, sent seven individuals to NAIA Nationals and had two NAIA All-Americans.
During TU's outdoor campaign, the Trojans earned USTFCCCA Top-25 ratings, set three new program records, finished fifth at the Crossroads League Championships, sent nine individuals to NAIA Nationals and had two NAIA All-Americans.