PEMBROKE – Hard work in both the classroom and competition paid dividends for seven UNC Pembroke student-athletes – three track & field athletes and four cross country/track & field dual athletes – who were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, the organization announced.
 
Elijah Barnette, Brenton Chapple, and CJ Agwu represented the men's and women's track & field programs, while JP Marquez, Daniel Mejias, Conrad Robertson, and Malea Bennewitz also landed spots on the distinguished squad as cross country/track & field athletes.

It is the first-such honor for each of the seven student-athletes.
 
The announcement marks just the third time since 2012 that the cross country program has been recognized on the distinguished list, and is also the third time in the last four seasons that the track & field programs were honored as well. 
 
To be nominated, a student-athlete must post at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at their current institution. Nominated student-athletes must have recorded a Top-50 individual performance at the NCAA cross country regional competition during the current academic year or a Top-50 regional ranking in a single event in indoor or outdoor track & field.