Thursday, May 16, 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. – Not only is Western Oregon senior Tyler Jones fast, but he has an exceptional record in the classroom.

One of two honorees with a 4.00 cumulative grade point average, Jones lead 87 student-athletes named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference 2018-19 Men’s Track and Field All-Academic Team.

Jones has that 4.00 GPA as a double major in business and mathematics. On the track, Jones finished sixth in the 5,000 meters at last week’s GNAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships and finished the year with a lifetime best time at the distance of 14:32.10, run at the Mike Fanelli Classic in March. Jones also finished seventh in the mile at February’s GNAC Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Concordia senior Robert Kochis is the other 4.00 GPA performer, picking up the perfect average as a student in Concordia’s Master’s of Education Program.

Of the 87 honorees, 16 own grade point averages of 3.7 or higher. A total of 35 honorees are repeat selections while 12 have been named to the team for the third time.

Joining Jones as a three-time All-Academic honoree is Central Washington seniors Taryk Boyd and Ryan Gunther; Montana State Billings seniors Brady Ostermiller and Kaelen Shay; Northwest Nazarene senior Nick Hamilton; Saint Martin’s seniors Levi Schilter and Andrew Walter; Seattle Pacific senior Jesse Phan and Western Washington seniors Alex Barry, Isaac Derline and Kyler Sager.

Western Washington leads all schools with 18 All-Academic selections. Central Washington finished with 17 selections while Concordia had 13.

Selections to the GNAC All-Academic Teams must be of sophomore standing or greater, have a 3.20 cumulative grade point average or better and be in their second season of competition at the nominating institution. The Track and Field All-Academic Team includes student-athletes from both the indoor and outdoor seasons.

2018-19 GNAC MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM