JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Both the Jax State men's and women's cross country programs achieved 2025 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team honors on Thursday. 

To qualify for the honor, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period. 

The men's team achieved a 3.65 cumulative GPA and the women's team earned a 3.48 GPA on a 4.0 scale. 

Mark Roper of the men's team and Rudi Barnette of the women's team were both named to the Conference USA All-Academic teams last month after each student-athlete achieved a 3.9 GPA or higher in the fall semester. 

Both teams had stellar performances all season long, including a major milestone in the postseason. 

At the NCAA South Regional in Huntsville, both the men's and women's squads placed 15th out of 27 and 28 teams respectively. The finish marked the highest team placement in the regional round for the women's team in program history. 

Both teams also had three athletes finish in the top 100 in the regional, with Roper setting a new program record time in the 10k at 31:04.1.