Photo by: Derek Johnson
Track & field teams garner top academic honors once again
7/17/2019 10:36:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
NEW ORLEANS, La. – A month ago, Jensen Lillquist made history by becoming the first male athlete under Brian Schweyen to qualify for NCAA Regionals four times. On Monday, he made more history, becoming the first to earn four USTFCCCA All-Academic awards.
The USTFCCCA announced its All-Academic award winners on Monday afternoon, recognizing those in the sport who excel at the highest level in the classroom and on the track or in the field. In order to qualify, an athlete must have a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average or higher and compete at NCAA Regionals, or be ranked among the best in their respective event.
In addition to Lillquist, teammates Jane Booth, Maryn Lowry and Jansen Ziola were also recognized. It was the first recognition for Lowry, a graduate transfer from Iowa State who finished 36th in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA West Region, and Ziola, who qualified by finishing in the top 48 nationally for the indoor pentathlon. Booth, a three-time regionals participant in the high jump, is following in Lillquist's footsteps, having now earned the All-Academic award for the third time. She also could go four-for-four – in the high jump and in the class room – by this time next year.
During his 11-year coaching career, Schweyen has coached 37 athletes who have earned all-academic recognition by the USTFCCA. The four recognized on Monday tie the second-most ever in a single season.
Even more than the individual awards, however, Monday marked the 11th year in a row that the women's team has earned the Team Award, given to teams who have a cumulative GPA above 3.0. The men earned the honor for the fifth year in a row, after never before reaching the threshold prior to 2015. Montana's women hold a 3.31 cumulative GPA, while the men are at 3.18. Between the two rosters, 77 student-athletes have a cumulative GPA above 3.0, including seven with a 4.0.
Lillquist has been one of Montana's brightest students, earning his undergraduate degree early, before obtaining a master's degree this past May in English Literature. He initially wanted to double major, and was on track to do so, but when an injury forced him to redshirt in 2017, the opportunity to pursue a master's degree presented itself.
"I received a couple good scholarships, so financially it made sense," Lillquist said. "It was something that I think will be worth it in the long run."
Lillquist acknowledged that he's always been a strong student, but things really clicked for him once he started graduate school, when he started applying things he had previously learned and found a passion for what he was doing.
"That's when I had the opportunity to learn for myself and do my own research," Lillquist said. "It gave me a goal of developing a new understanding of the world, and hopefully being able to take that knowledge and putting it toward making the world a better place."
He'll get that opportunity right away, having accepted a position to work with AmeriCorps, through the law school. Beginning in August, he will do grant writing and promotion for the Veteran's Advocacy Clinic.
From there, the opportunities are endless, but right now the frontrunner is more school – and more than likely more success.
"I have a few ideas bouncing around in my head, but the best option, I think, is to do an environmental studies PhD or another public policy master's degree."
Booth – Qualified for NCAA Regionals in the high jump for the third year in a row, placing 36th… Was an all-conference performer in both indoor and outdoor, placing second in the high jump at the indoor championships and third at the outdoor meet… Is a health and human performance major.
Lillquist – Qualified for NCAA Regionals four the fourth time in his career, placing 21st in the javelin… Earned a PR at the Big Sky Championships, with a throw of 232-6 that earned second place… Placed in the javelin all four seasons, winning two individual Big Sky titles… Earned his master's degree in English literature.
Lowry – After beginning her career at Iowa State, she made the most of her lone outdoor season with the Griz, placing third in the 1,500 meters at the Big Sky Championships and qualifying for NCAA Regionals… Was named the Big Sky Athlete of the Week in April… Earned her master's degree in health and exercise science.
Ziola – Placed second at the Big Sky Championships in the indoor pentathlon, a point total that ranked 22nd nationally and qualified her for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Award… Also placed in the 60-meter indoor hurdles (second) and outdoor long jump (third), and scored in the heptathlon, 100-meter hurdles and 4x100-meter relay... Is majoring in pharmacy.
The USTFCCCA announced its All-Academic award winners on Monday afternoon, recognizing those in the sport who excel at the highest level in the classroom and on the track or in the field. In order to qualify, an athlete must have a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average or higher and compete at NCAA Regionals, or be ranked among the best in their respective event.
In addition to Lillquist, teammates Jane Booth, Maryn Lowry and Jansen Ziola were also recognized. It was the first recognition for Lowry, a graduate transfer from Iowa State who finished 36th in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA West Region, and Ziola, who qualified by finishing in the top 48 nationally for the indoor pentathlon. Booth, a three-time regionals participant in the high jump, is following in Lillquist's footsteps, having now earned the All-Academic award for the third time. She also could go four-for-four – in the high jump and in the class room – by this time next year.
During his 11-year coaching career, Schweyen has coached 37 athletes who have earned all-academic recognition by the USTFCCA. The four recognized on Monday tie the second-most ever in a single season.
Even more than the individual awards, however, Monday marked the 11th year in a row that the women's team has earned the Team Award, given to teams who have a cumulative GPA above 3.0. The men earned the honor for the fifth year in a row, after never before reaching the threshold prior to 2015. Montana's women hold a 3.31 cumulative GPA, while the men are at 3.18. Between the two rosters, 77 student-athletes have a cumulative GPA above 3.0, including seven with a 4.0.
Lillquist has been one of Montana's brightest students, earning his undergraduate degree early, before obtaining a master's degree this past May in English Literature. He initially wanted to double major, and was on track to do so, but when an injury forced him to redshirt in 2017, the opportunity to pursue a master's degree presented itself.
"I received a couple good scholarships, so financially it made sense," Lillquist said. "It was something that I think will be worth it in the long run."
Lillquist acknowledged that he's always been a strong student, but things really clicked for him once he started graduate school, when he started applying things he had previously learned and found a passion for what he was doing.
"That's when I had the opportunity to learn for myself and do my own research," Lillquist said. "It gave me a goal of developing a new understanding of the world, and hopefully being able to take that knowledge and putting it toward making the world a better place."
He'll get that opportunity right away, having accepted a position to work with AmeriCorps, through the law school. Beginning in August, he will do grant writing and promotion for the Veteran's Advocacy Clinic.
From there, the opportunities are endless, but right now the frontrunner is more school – and more than likely more success.
"I have a few ideas bouncing around in my head, but the best option, I think, is to do an environmental studies PhD or another public policy master's degree."
Booth – Qualified for NCAA Regionals in the high jump for the third year in a row, placing 36th… Was an all-conference performer in both indoor and outdoor, placing second in the high jump at the indoor championships and third at the outdoor meet… Is a health and human performance major.
Lillquist – Qualified for NCAA Regionals four the fourth time in his career, placing 21st in the javelin… Earned a PR at the Big Sky Championships, with a throw of 232-6 that earned second place… Placed in the javelin all four seasons, winning two individual Big Sky titles… Earned his master's degree in English literature.
Lowry – After beginning her career at Iowa State, she made the most of her lone outdoor season with the Griz, placing third in the 1,500 meters at the Big Sky Championships and qualifying for NCAA Regionals… Was named the Big Sky Athlete of the Week in April… Earned her master's degree in health and exercise science.
Ziola – Placed second at the Big Sky Championships in the indoor pentathlon, a point total that ranked 22nd nationally and qualified her for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Award… Also placed in the 60-meter indoor hurdles (second) and outdoor long jump (third), and scored in the heptathlon, 100-meter hurdles and 4x100-meter relay... Is majoring in pharmacy.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Multi-events
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