NEW ORLEANS, La. – Missouri Southern men's and women's cross country both earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors for the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Thursday. Also, eight Lions earned the USTFCCCA All-Academic distinction for this past fall's season. 

In order to qualify for All-Academic honors, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period and compile a team score at their respective regional championship meet, among other qualifiers. The MSSU women's team posted a cumulative GPA of 3.69 and the men's team had a 3.32 cumulative GPA.

Southern had nine individuals named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic team. In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-30 percent of their respective regional championship meet, among other qualifiers.

On the men's side for the Lions, Kelby Conner, Jaden Deaton, and Chase Sorrell were named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Division II team, and for the women it was Abbey Brackenbury, Isabella Frost, Lilah Genel, Hailey Nelson, Zoe Nelson.