March 28, 2024

Sports brief

Academic awards

MARYVILLE, Mo. — Northwest Missouri State University had five cross country runners honored by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their academic achievements.

The individual All-Academic honor was awarded to those athletes who have compiled a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 and finished among the top 30 percent of eligible runners at his or her regional championships and/or the top half of the field at the NCAA Championships.

On the men's side, Wick Cunningham, Tim Grundmayer, Brandon Phipps of Creston and Nolan Zimmer were honored by the association while Sammy Laurenzo garnered women's honors.

At the 2016 regional championships in Sioux Falls, Zimmer (3.45; Elementary Education) placed sixth, Cunningham (3.88; Middle School Education) was eighth, Phipps (3.56; Physical Education) finished 24th and Grundmayer (3.78; Recreation and Park Management) was 43rd. Laurenzo (4.00; Psychology) placed 41st on the women's side.