As published by USTFCCCA

NEW ORLEANS – On the cross country course. And in the classroom.

We saw some incredible performances from student-athletes in each venue during the 2024 season. You can't have one without the other to complete the student-athlete experience.

That's why the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is pleased to honor those individuals and teams that stood out both academically and athletically.

Jackson Bland, Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC: 2024 NJCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Scholar Athlete of the Year

Jackson Bland of Paradise Valley (Ariz.) CC was named the 2024 NJCAA Division II Men's Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year. Bland, who hails from Surprise, Arizona, and owns a cumulative GPA of 3.429, won the individual title at the 2024 NJCAA DII Cross Country Championships in Mechanicsville, Virginia. This is the second time that an athlete from Paradise Valley has been named Men's Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year. Bland joins last year's honoree, Nathan Pestka, in that regard.

Congratulations Jackson!