Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

June 25, 2025 - North Central College women's track and field/cross country student-athletes Julia Benes, Gwen Berenyi, Natalie Johnson, Robin Lee and Lindsey Novak have been named to the College Sports Communicator's Academic All-District list for their combined achievements in the classroom and athletics.

To be eligible, nominees must have achieved at least sophomore athletic and academic standing, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50, and finish in the top 50 at their regional cross country championship or be ranked in the top 50 in an individual track & field event indoors or outdoors.

Benes, a secondary education and social sciences/history double major, earned All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin honors with a second-place finish at the 2024 CCIW Cross Country Championships (22:00.34) before earning All-Region accolades and competing at the 2024 NCAA Division III National Championships. Benes also earned All-CCIW honors at the Indoor Championships in the 1-mile run (5:22.75) and sixth-place finishes in the 1,500-meter run (4:50.88) and the 5,000-meter run (18:11.73).

Berenyi, a management major, won the pole vault at the 2024 Indoor CCIW Championships with a height of 3.64m before earning All-American honors with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships. During the outdoor season, she competed at nationals with a height of 3.60m.

Johnson, a health science major, won the CCIW Title in the outdoor pole vault with a mark of 3.58m after earning All-CCIW honors during the indoor season with a vault of 3.54m.  She is now a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection.

Lee, a graphic design major, took fourth place in the javelin this spring with a throw of 36.67m. She also claimed 18th place in the shot put (10.26m). During the indoor season, Lee finished in 13th place in the shot put with a toss of 11.05m.

Novak, who is pursuing her doctoral degree in physical therapy, earned two All-American honors this past season in the 200 meters (25.14) and 400 meters (56.50) to bring her career total to eight All-American awards. She holds indoor program records in the 55-meter dash (7.09), 200 meters (24.73) and 400 meters (56.16). For outdoors, Novak set school records in the 200 meters (23.98) and 400 meters (53.99) this season. She is now a three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree.

Berenyi and Novak advance to the Academic All-America ballot, which will be announced on July 15 at 11 a.m.

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