Contact: Taiah Gallisath, Associate Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5302
 
USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams
USTFCCCA All-Academic Athletes

NEW ORLEANS, (Jan. 30, 2026) – Continuing its streak of academic excellence, the North Central College women's cross country team has garnered its 21st straight United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic team award while junior Lily Anderson picked up the individual honor for the third time.
 
The Cardinals earned a 3.42 cumulative grade-point average to earn the honors for the 21st consecutive season. In order to qualify for the All-Academic award, teams must have at least a 3.1 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale for the fall semester.
 
Other College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) teams joining North Central on the All-Academic Teams are Augustana College, Carthage College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Millikin, North Park University, and Wheaton College. 
 
To qualify for the All-Academic individual distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top 25 percent of their respective regional championship meet. 
 
Earning the distinction for the third time, Anderson picks up the academic honor after a great season on the course that saw her earn First Team All-CCIW honors and turn in the top Cardinal finish in five races.
 
North Central finished fifth at the conference championship this season and 12th in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Championships.