NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Idaho track and field team continues to reach new heights in the classroom, earning United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team Awards on both the men's and women's sides.  The USTFCCCA also announced its individual all-academic awards, with five Vandals being recognized.
 
The women posted the third highest grade point average in the nation for the second straight season, finishing the year with a cumulative GPA of 3.66.  The men also had an outstanding year with a cumulative GPA of 3.28.
 
The Big Sky was represented by eight teams on each side.  The Vandal men posted the third highest GPA in the conference, while the Vandal women posted the highest.
 
Zachary Short led the way for the individuals.  Short was recognized for both seasons, after qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships and the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Preliminary Rounds.  Ben Doucette qualified by ranking 43^rd in the nation in the 60-meter hurdles during the indoor season.  Zachary Nunis was the final male to be recognized.  Nunis ranked 31^st in the nation in the long jump during the indoor season, and qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships before withdrawing due to injury.  He was also ranked 96^th in the nation in the triple jump during the indoor season.
 
On the women's side, Andrea Condie closed out her collegiate career by advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Championships Preliminary Rounds for the second straight season.  Henrike Fiedler closed out her incredible freshman campaign with a trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships Preliminary Rounds, entering the meet ranked 28^th in the West.
 
To qualify for the team award, programs must finish the year with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.  In total, 366 teams were recognized, including 227 women's teams and 139 men's.  To qualify on the individual side, student-athletes must post a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and meet the athletic standards.  To be recognized for the indoor season, student-athletes must finish the regular season ranked in the top-96 in the nation.  To be recognized for the outdoor season, student-athletes must have participated in the NCAA Championships Preliminary Round.
 
To stay current on all Vandal Athletics visit GoVandals.com, or follow the Vandals on Twitter, @Idaho_Vandals.
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho track and field/cross country by following the team on Twitter @IdahoTrack.