LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska Wesleyan University's men's and women's cross country teams were recognized Thursday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on the 2025 Cross Country All-Academic Awards. Both teams earned All-Academic Team distinction, with the women's squad posting the highest team GPA in the nation among Division III women's cross country programs at 3.92. The men's team recorded a 3.36 team GPA.

In addition to team honors, four Prairie Wolves earned All-Academic individual recognition. On the women's side, sophomore Payton Jorczak of Papillion, Nebraska, captured the award after finishing 49th at the NCAA Regional Championships with a 23:43 6K time. On the men's side, junior Evan Brown of Lincoln, Nebraska, freshman Noah Thomas of Kennewick, Washington, and junior Thomas Vasquez of Omaha, Nebraska, were honored. Thomas took 37th at the NCAA Regional Championships with a 25:41.5 8K, and Vasquez finished 47th in 25:56.8, while Brown's 55th place contributed to the team's All-Academic qualification.

To earn USTFCCCA All-Academic individual distinction, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 and finish in the top 25 percent of their respective regional championship. Teams must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.1 or higher, including the most recent grading period, among other qualifiers. Nebraska Wesleyan's men's and women's programs have been recognized as All-Academic Teams every year since the award's inception in 2010.

This year, the Prairie Wolves join a competitive group of American Rivers Conference programs with both men's and women's teams earning All-Academic status, including Coe, Luther, Loras, Dubuque, Simpson, Central, and Wartburg.