NEW ORLEANS -- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) honored five Grove City College cross country runners as 2024 Division III All-Academic Athletes. 

Senior Julia Bauer (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills), senior Lydia Bennett (Bethel, Maine/Gould Academy), sophomore Cayla Lawrence (Mendon, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima) and senior Grace Smith (Dover, Ohio/Dover) all earned All-Academic on the women's side.

Junior Caleb Hawke (Grove City, Pa./Grove City) captured All-Academic distinction on the men's side.

Student-athletes must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average and place in the top 25 percent of their respective NCAA regional championship meet. 

Bauer finished 55th at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Championships, held November 16 at Lock Haven (Pa.) University. Bennett earned runner-up at the regional meet while Lawrence placed 42nd. Smith joined Bennett as an All-Region performer by finishing in 26th place. 

That foursome helped Grove City finish fourth overall at the regional championships, which matched the best regional finish in program history.

Hawke placed 48th at the Mid-Atlantic Championships. Grove City's men placed 13th in the team standings. 

Additionally, the Grove City women's cross country team earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Team distinction after the team combined for a cumulative 3.55 GPA during the fall 2024 semester. Teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.10 or higher during the semester, among other qualifying factors.