Oswego, NY – The United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association has released their 2025 USTFCCCA Cross Country Academic Awards.

Elena Gaffney and Hannah Reichard earned individual recognition as All-Academic Athletes and the women's cross-country team earned a team accolade as an all-academic team!

For individuals, in order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top 25 percent of their respective regional championship meet. For teams, in order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.1 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, among other qualifiers.

Elena Gaffney (Freeville, N.Y. / Lansing High School) is the final Laker to be named to the All-SUNYAC First Team, thanks to her 5th place overall finish at the SUNYAC Championships this past November. Her finish inside the top five granted her induction into the SUNYAC Women's Cross Country Championship Hall of Fame. She was also honored with the SUNYAC Elite 20 Award, which recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. 

Hannah Reichard (Clifton Park, N.Y. / Cicero North Syracuse High School) was named to the All-SUNYAC First Team as well as Rookie of the Year after her stellar season. She was one of two Lakers qualified for the NCAA National Championship, a feat that has not been accomplished 22 years. She set personal records, along with school records all season, including the new Oswego State record for the women's 6k at the SUNYAC Championships, which she finished 2nd overall. This finish awarded her induction into the SUNYAC Women's Cross Country Championship Hall of Fame. Other notable finishes include a third-place finish at the Houghton XC Invite and a school record in the women's 6k (which would later be broken), and third-place all-time finish in the women's 5k in school history at the Canisius Alumni Invite.