AUSTIN, Texas — Eight members of the Pittsburg State University cross country/track & field squad -- five women and three men -- were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District squad.

Redshirt senior Matthew Oglesby, redshirt junior Mason Strader and redshirt junior Braden Zaner were selected to the men's cross country/track & field team, while senior Auna Childress, redshirt junior Kate Dawson, sophomore Taniya Looney, senior Erica Schamel and redshirt sophomore Blakelee Winn were tabbed to the women's cross country/track & field squad.

All eight individuals advanced to the national ballot from which the CSC Academic All-America Team will be selected in July.

Oglesby (Galena, Kan.) has a 3.89 grade-point-average as a marketing major. He earned All-America honors for a second straight year in cross country this past fall.

Strader (Holton, Kan.) has a 3.87 GPA as an arcitectural manufacturing management major. He claimed the 2023-24 Ken B. Jones Award as the MIAA's Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Strader is a nine-time NCAA Division II All-America distance runner.

Zaner (Raymore, Mo.) has a 3.87 GPA as a communication major. He garnered All-America honors on Pitt State's distance medley relay; and Zaner was the High Point Performer at the 2024 MIAA Indoor Championships.

Childress (Lawrence, Kan.) has a 3.79 GPA while pursuing a nursing degree. She finished as the national runner-up in the triple jump during the 2024 indoor season, before capturing the D2 crown in the discipline outdoors.

Dawson (Mound City, Kan.) has a 3.86 GPA as an elementary education major. She earned All-America honors in the 800 meters in both the 2024 indoor and outdoor seasons. Dawson also was the MIAA runner-up in cross country.

Looney (Oklahoma City) has a perfect 4.00 GPA as a management major. She helped the Pitt State 4x100m relay to a national runner-up finish in May. Looney also was a national qualifier in both the 100 and 200 meters disciplines.

Schamel (Cedar Hill, Mo.) has a 3.78 GPA while pursuing a recreation services, sport & hospitality management major. She captured the D2 high jump national championship during the 2024 indoor season and garnered All-America honors in the event again during the 2024 outdoor campaign.

Winn (Pea Ridge, Ark.) has a 3.64 GPA as an exercise science major. She captured the Division II national championship in pentathlon and finished as the national runner-up in the heptathlon.