NEW ORLEANS, La. - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2026 Team and Individual All-Academic Awards, recognizing both the Oakland men's and women's track and field programs with team honors, while also honoring Kylei Anderson as an individual All-Academic Award recipient.

Anderson completed one of the best all-around seasons in Oakland Track & Field history this past year, earning a 3.83 GPA while also being named to the Horizon League All-Academic Team. On the track, she captured the Horizon League Outdoor Championship in the heptathlon, setting a new program record, while advancing to the NCAA East Regional Championships in the 100-meter hurdles.

The Golden Grizzlies also received All-Academic recognition as teams. The men's team finished the 2026 academic year with 13 student-athletes earning a term GPA of 3.75 or higher, including four student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 GPA. The women's team had 24 student-athletes earn a term GPA of 3.75 or higher, including eight student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

"It is great to see our teams, who are extremely dedicated to their studies, get this level of recognition," said Oakland Head Track and Field Coach Paul Rice. "It is a very tough balance for all collegiate-level student-athletes, and our Track & Field athletes have a very unique grind they go through with some of the longest stretches of season that anyone at this level experiences. Their priorities are in the right place, and our coaching staff is very proud of all of them. They amaze us every day!"

The Oakland Track and Field program continues to set the bar high both on the field and in the classroom, pushing forward the envelope of program success, and continuing to be one of the top programs academically not just in the conference, but in the country.