Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography 2018
Meyers and Cizmas Earn USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors
2/14/2019 5:30:00 PM | Women's XC
Eastern Michigan was Also Honored as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University women's cross country seniors Sydney Meyers (Zionsville, Ind.-Zionsville Community) and Natalie Cizmas (Clinton Township, Mich.-Chippewa Valley) were honored for their academic successes as the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) recognized the harriers as All-Academic Individuals, the association announced Thursday, Feb. 14.
Cizmas and Meyers were two of 156 female student-athletes designated with the honor, holding a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-25 (or 10 percent) at the NCAA Regional Championships or as an All-American at the NCAA Championships.
"Along with all of their athletic achievements, Natalie and Sydney are also outstanding students", noted Head Women's Cross Country and Track and Field coach Sue Parks. "This honors caps off a great cross country season for them. I'm really proud of everything that they've done both academically and athletically."
Both runners had tremendous senior seasons, as each earned individual bids to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the third time in their careers, the only Eagles to ever appear in three national championship meets in their careers. Leading the Eagles' squad that earned its fourth straight Mid-American Conference championship, the harriers earned top-five finishes at the league's championship meet, while Cizmas also took the overall individual title at the race.
Additionally, the Eagles' women's cross country team was honored as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, one of 427 Division I squads to earn the All-Academic distinction. Furthermore, 232 of those honored were women's programs. To earn the distinction, teams must hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
EMU recorded a cumulative 3.59 GPA throughout the season and were 1-of-10 MAC programs to receive the honor, along with the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University, University at Buffalo, Central Michigan University, Kent State University, Northern Illinois University, Western Michigan University, University of Toledo, and Ohio University.
Cizmas and Meyers were two of 156 female student-athletes designated with the honor, holding a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-25 (or 10 percent) at the NCAA Regional Championships or as an All-American at the NCAA Championships.
"Along with all of their athletic achievements, Natalie and Sydney are also outstanding students", noted Head Women's Cross Country and Track and Field coach Sue Parks. "This honors caps off a great cross country season for them. I'm really proud of everything that they've done both academically and athletically."
Both runners had tremendous senior seasons, as each earned individual bids to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for the third time in their careers, the only Eagles to ever appear in three national championship meets in their careers. Leading the Eagles' squad that earned its fourth straight Mid-American Conference championship, the harriers earned top-five finishes at the league's championship meet, while Cizmas also took the overall individual title at the race.
Additionally, the Eagles' women's cross country team was honored as a USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, one of 427 Division I squads to earn the All-Academic distinction. Furthermore, 232 of those honored were women's programs. To earn the distinction, teams must hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
EMU recorded a cumulative 3.59 GPA throughout the season and were 1-of-10 MAC programs to receive the honor, along with the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University, University at Buffalo, Central Michigan University, Kent State University, Northern Illinois University, Western Michigan University, University of Toledo, and Ohio University.
Players Mentioned
Thank You from EMU Cross Country/Track & Field!
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - EMU Cross Country/Track & Field
Monday, December 01
Giving Tuesday 2025 - Eastern Michigan Track & Field
Monday, December 01
2025 E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
Saturday, October 11




