NEW ORLEANS -- The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its annual All-Academic awards, which included a handful of honors for the 2022 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) champions from Allegheny College women's cross country.

The Gators were one of 212 women's cross country programs at the Division III level named an All-Academic Team. To qualify, a team must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.1 on a 4.0 scale. With a 3.71, Allegheny's GPA ranked among the top 20% of all D-III teams recognized.

Additionally, three Gators were included on the USTFCCCA All-Academic list. Senior Megan Aaron (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley), a psychology major, was rewarded with her second consecutive All-Academic award. She was joined by fellow senior and All-Region runner Leuca Hanish (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) and sophomore Nelly Stafford (Middletown, Md./Middletown). Aaron, Hanish, and Stafford represent three of the 383 honorees from 137 different institutions.

In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 and finish in the top 25% of their respective regional championship meet.

In its first season as a PAC member, the Allegheny women's cross country team captured its 16th conference championship in October. The Gators, who were ranked in the USTFCCCA's Great Lakes Regional Rankings, then finished seventh out of 34 teams at the regional championships.