New Orleans, Louisiana - New Mexico Highlands University added another proud chapter to its tradition of excellence this season, as two standout Cowgirls -
Kayci-Jo Davis and
Lucia Burba - along with the entire women's track and field team, were named USTFCCCA Academic All-Americans for outdoor track and field.
The awards follow previously announced academic honors for Baseball, Wrestling and Volleyball - highlighting NMHU's commitment to the NCAA D2 "Life in the Balance" model.
"We're very proud of the Cowgirls for earning this well-deserved recognition for their commitment to excellence in the classroom," said Interim Athletic Director
Mike Grose. "It's also a testament to the outstanding program Coach DeVries and his staff have built, demonstrating that student-athletes can excel both in competition and in the classroom."
Davis earned the honor after qualifying for the NCAA national championship in the 4x100 relay, where Highlands posted the fifth fastest time in the country. Balancing elite speed with academic commitment, Davis holds a 3.34 GPA in Business, underscoring her impact both on the track and in the classroom.
Burba secured her Academic All-American recognition by hitting an NCAA national qualifying mark in the Heptathlon at the RMAC outdoor championship. Her versatility across seven demanding events mirrors her academic strength - she carries a 3.68 GPA in Psychology.
Their achievements helped propel the women's track and field team to national academic honors as well. The Cowgirls posted a 3.05 team GPA, marking the 20th Academic All-American team award (indoor and outdoor) since the program's launch in 2006 - a testament to two decades of sustained excellence.
Coach DeVries captured the program's philosophy simply: "Student-athlete means exactly that. We expect our team to work just as hard in the classroom as they do on the track."
