2021 USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams (Men | Women)
2021 USTFCCCA All-Academic Individuals (Men | Women)

NEW ORLEANS – For the fifth consecutive competitive year, Academy of Art University men's and women's cross country was awarded All-Academic Team honors as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Additionally, runners Natalia Novak, Delanie Dykes, Saba Khvichava, and Markus Anderson Deakin were each named USTFCCCA All-Academic Individuals.

"The goal is always to strive for excellence both on and off the athletic playing field," said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Kevin LaSure. "Extremely proud of the job our cross country teams have done this fall both on the course and in the classroom. Special shout out to Natalia, Delanie, Saba and Markus who were All-Academic Individuals in addition to the team honor. At the end of the day, this is what it's all about."

To qualify as an USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross Country Individual, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and finished among the top 30 percent of total eligible runners at his or her NCAA regional championship or in the top half of the field at the NCAA Championships. Teams must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 and must have scored at an NCAA Division II regional meet to qualify for All-Academic awards.

"I'm proud of our team's passion for art, fashion, and design, which has been on display in the classroom," said PacWest Coach of the Year Bruce Jackson. "It's awesome to see both Saba and Delanie transition smoothly to the team and the classroom. Markus showed great discipline balancing academics and his craft with obstacles in the field. Natalia has set high standards for herself that she continues to meet and exceed."

After winning the PacWest Championship for the first time in program history, the women's team claimed fourth at NCAA Regionals and would go on to make its first team appearance at NCAA Nationals all while delivering a 3.29 GPA. This year, contributions were made by Novak, Dykes, Hasna Kaarour, Audrey Rosencrans, and Lina Hanich.

As a team, the ART U men's squad collectively delivered a 3.07 GPA, finished fourth at the PacWest Championship, and made their seventh consecutive appearance at NCAA Regionals where they finished 16th overall. This season's team included Khvichava, Anderson Deakin, Hudson Lockette, Abdelouakil Mustapha, Elliot Slade, Owen Day, and Jaden Singleton.

In her final season with Academy of Art women's cross country, Novak ended on a historic note this past fall. While working toward a 3.74 cumulative GPA in Communications & Media Technologies, she became the third All-America in program history after winning PacWest Championships as both an individual and with the team, being distinguished as the PacWest Runner of the Year plus All-PacWest First Team, and adding All-Region Team honors to her resume as well. A USTFCCCA NCAA DII National Athlete of the Week on Oct. 25, Novak's fastest 6k time, 21:20.7, came at Nationals and was third in program history.

The newest addition to the ART U women's cross country team this season, Dykes made an immediate impact in her six races this past fall. Along with her 3.57 cumulative GPA in Advertising, she garnered All-PacWest First Team with her highest finish of the year in seventh at the PacWest Championships to help the team to the title then dropped her fastest 6k time of 22:00.7 (eighth in ART U history) at NCAA Regionals where she earned an All-Region Team selection with her 18th place result out of 169 runners.

In his debut campaign with Academy of Art men's cross country, Khvichava led the team through all six races. He compiled a 3.27 GPA in Advertising while taking home a PacWest Runner of the Week award (for his top two mark at the Sacramento State Invite), All-PacWest Third Team after finishing 16th at the championship meet, and All-Region Team honors for his 14th place result to conclude the season. His fastest 8k time of 24:36.9 at the Bronco Invite ranked sixth in ART U history.

Running for the Urban Knights in his second cross country season, Anderson Deakin completed the fall with a 3.45 cumulative GPA in Motion Pictures & Television. He posted his top 8k time of 25:54.0 at the Bronco Invite then had his best placement of 29th come at the PacWest Championships.

Novak and Dykes were two of 357 women representing 104 institutions while Khvichava and Anderson Deakin were among 275 men from 98 institutions who earned this distinguished USTFCCCA All-Academic honor for their combined academic and athletic accomplishments. A total of 98 men's teams and 111 women's teams were honored for the team awards.

This is the second USTFCCCA All-Academic award for Novak in her Academy of Art career and the first in the ART U careers of Dykes, Khvichava, and Anderson Deakin.