Clarksville, Ark.-University of the Ozarks freshman cross country runner Nathaneal Rankin was named to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team.

Rankin, from Plano, Texas, was the only men's runner from the American Southwest Conference to earn the USTFCCCA award. Rankin won the ASC championships in October with a time of 26:41.6 (8K) and later broke the school 8K record (25:25.0) earning All-Region honors at the NCAA III South/Southeast Regional in November.

To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 or greater and finish in the top 25 percent of their respective regional championship meet. A total of 300 student-athletes compose the group.