AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn senior Joyce Kimeli and sophomore Ryan Kinnane have been named USTFCCCA All-Academic Athletes, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced recently. Both were recognized for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements during the cross country season.
To qualify for All-Academic Athlete status student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and finish in the top 10 percent at the NCAA Regional Championships.
"We're very proud of both Ryan and Joyce not only for their accomplishments on the field, but also for their hard work in the classroom," Tigers cross country coach Aaron Kindt said. "Not every athlete has what it takes to succeed both in their respective sport and academically. These two are great representatives of what it means to be true student-athletes."
The honor is the second of Kimeli's career with the last coming following the 2019 cross country season. Kimeli's fall slate culminated with a top top-20 finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in which she ran a season-best 19:43.40 to earn All-American status. Over the course of the 2021 season, the Eldoret, Kenya native racked up four top-10 finishes, including a victory at the Joe Piane Invitational. Kimeli is currently pursuing a degree in exercise science.
This year's honor marks the first in the early career of Kinnane. The Andover, Kansas native led the Auburn men in four of six meets throughout the fall season. Following a top-25 finish in his season finale at NCAA Regionals, he was also named to the USTFCCCA All-Region team. Kinnane is currently pursuing a degree in aviation flight management.
Both Kimeli and Kinnane continue to compete for the Tigers as indoor track season is in full swing. Auburn heads to Birmingham for its next team meet, the USA Invitational, on January 6.
