SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A total of 10 cross country student-athletes, five men and five women, have been named to the 2023 Academic All-Summit League teams. The runners are selected for the award based on their academic and athletic performances during the 2023 cross country season.
The 2023 Summit League Men's Cross Country Scholar of the Championship, Daniel Burkhalter of South Dakota State, was honored on the men's side for the third time in his career while teammate Will Lohr earned his first career nod. North Dakota's Luke Labatte and North Dakota State's Zach Johnson collected their second career awards, while North Dakota State's Payton Smith was voted to the Academic All-League team for the first time in his career.
For the women, the 2023 Summit League Women's Cross Country Scholar of the Championship Abrielle Jirelle received the honor for the second time in her career, while teammate Abby Ripperda collected her third career academic award. Jadyn Keller of North Dakota received her second career honor, and the remaining duo of honorees garnered the award for the first time. They include Ava Pankratz of St. Thomas and Caitlin Bright of South Dakota State.
To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team's competitions.
Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league's institutions that carry cross country, and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs). Each team is made up of the 5 student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.
2023 SUMMIT LEAGUE MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ACADEMIC ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
| Name |
School |
Year |
Hometown |
GPA |
Major |
| Daniel Burkhalter*** |
South Dakota State |
Sr. |
Prairie City, S.D. |
4.0 |
Statistics |
| Zach Johnson** |
North Dakota State |
Sr. |
Moorhead, Minn. |
3.85 |
Agribusiness & Applied Economics |
| Will Lohr |
South Dakota State |
So. |
Sioux City, Iowa |
3.94 |
Civil Engineering |
| Luke Labatte** |
North Dakota |
Sr. |
Inver Grove Heights, Minn. |
3.87 |
Commercial Aviation |
| Payton Smith |
North Dakota State |
Sr. |
Carrington, N.D. |
3.89 |
Exercise Science and Psychology |
2023 SUMMIT LEAGUE WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY ACADEMIC ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
| Name |
School |
Year |
Hometown |
GPA |
Major |
| Caitlin Bright |
South Dakota State |
Jr. |
Alexandria, Minn. |
4.0 |
Human Biology (Pre-Med) |
| Abrielle Jirele** |
South Dakota |
Jr. |
Eden Prairie, Minn. |
4.0 |
Communication Sciences & Disorders |
| Jadyn Keeler** |
North Dakota |
Jr. |
Barrie, Ontario, Canada |
4.0 |
Molecular and Integrative Biology |
| Ava Pankratz |
St. Thomas |
Jr. |
Eau Claire, Wis. |
4.0 |
Biology |
| Abby Ripperda*** |
South Dakota |
Gr. |
Sioux Falls, S.D. |
3.84 |
Medical Biology |
*Career Cross Country Academic All-League honors
#SummitXC
