NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Northern Illinois University women's cross country team earned the 2024 All-Academic Team Award from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). 

Under second year head coach Juan Carrillo, the Huskies posted a team grade point average of 3.817, which ranks as the eighth-best team GPA in the country. This is the 10th consecutive year in which NIU has received the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award. 

Earlier this year, four members of the NIU cross country team, Morgan Gioia (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South), Carly Leonard (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./College of Lake County), Olivia Southby (New South Wales, Australia/Washburn) and Emma Vorpagel (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead), received Academic All-MAC honors. 

In order to qualify for USTFCCCA All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period.