NEW ORLEANS (Jan. 28, 2022) – Oklahoma Christian junior cross country runner Kenya Bailey was among 357 women across NCAA Division II to earn All-Academic individual honors for the 2021 season from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

In order to qualify for the honor, a runner must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25 and finish in the top 30 percent in a regional championship meet. Bailey, a Nursing major from Ponca City, Okla., finished 31st among 174 runners in the South Central Region Championship race in November in Lubbock, Texas, posting a career-best 6,000-meter time of 21:42.2.

Bailey is the fifth OC runner to earn All-Academic status since the Eagles began competing at the Division II level with the 2012 season, joining Layne Hammer (twice), Sarah Cobb, Maci Rich and Kelsey Castillo.

OC's women's team also earned the USTFCCCA's All-Academic team honor. In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, a team must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and compile a team score at a regional meet. The Eagles had a team GPA of 3.33 and finished 16th among 25 squads at the regional meet. It's the fifth time in the past seven seasons OC has received the honor.

Team members included Bailey, freshman Jayme Cole, freshman Madison Coskey, junior Emma Davison, junior Payton Duesing, freshman Hope Fletcher, junior Janaya McIntosh, senior Rebeca Morales and junior Caroline Schwab. The Eagles were coached by Wade Miller.

Nationally, 111 teams earned All-Academic status for 2021.