NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Carleton College men's track & field program posted the fourth-highest team GPA (3.71) in Division III and the sixth highest among all NCAA men's programs (all three divisions) to receive the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team Award. This is the 15th consecutive season that the Knights have secured the team award and the 14 time over the last 15 years that they have posted a top-20 team GPA in Division III.
Additionally, three squad members—
Henry Bowman '23,
Ian Mortensen '24, and
Gabe Nichols '26—were tabbed as USTFCCCA Division III All-Academic Athletes.
In NCAA Division III this year, there were 167 men's programs and 216 women's teams recognized by the USTFCCCA for academic excellence. Among that group, Carleton is 1 of only 19 schools to have both its men's and women's squads record team GPAs of at least 3.60. Additionally, the Knights are 1 of only 2 MIAC programs to have both its men's and women's track & field teams own an active academic award streak of more than 13 years.
To be nominated for the overall team award, a squad must carry a minimum 3.10 cumulative grade-point average. The Carleton men easily cleared that hurdle as they surpassed a 3.40 cumulative GPA for the 11th time in the last 15 seasons.
For individuals to qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Award, the student-athlete must compile a cumulative 3.30 GPA and either:
• compete at the NCAA Indoor or Outdoor Championships OR
• finish the indoor or outdoor regular season ranked among the national top-50 in an individual event or top-35 in a relay event on the NCAA performance list.
This was the third consecutive year that Mortensen took home the individual USTFCCCA All-Academic Award. He ranked inside the top-50 for the javelin.
Bowman and Nichols both earned the honor for the first time. The former was among national leaders in the 10,000-meter run, while the latter finished 16th in the mile at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March and ranked inside the top 50 for the indoor 3,000-meter run.
