IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine men's track & field has been named a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, while a pair of Anteaters earned individual academic honors as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
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The Anteaters received their fifth team recognition in the last six years. To qualify as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, programs must carry a cumulative team GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
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Kenechukwu Okonkwo and
Joshua Schuld also earned their first career USTFCCCA All-Academic awards. Okonkwo made his second-straight NCAA West First Round appearance in the triple jump after qualifying with a personal-record 15.83 meters (51-11.25) in an individual victory at the Challenge Cup on March 15. His PR moved him past Mike Powell for No. 2 in school history. Okonkwo is majoring in biological sciences.
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Schuld made his NCAA debut with a first round appearance in the steeplechase on May 30. He had the best season of his collegiate career with three personal bests, including at the Big West Championships where he placed fourth overall at 8:50.75. It was UCI's best steeple time since 1985 and put him fifth among the program's all-time leaders. Schuld also had three individual victories on the year, winning the steeplechase at the Beach Opener and Steve Scott Invitational, and the 1500m at the Triton Invitational. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
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To qualify for USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, and have completed at least two semesters or three quarters at their current institution. They also must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
