GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - The United States Track & Field & Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2026 NCAA Division III Track & Field Team and Athlete Academic awards on Monday. Both the Men's and Women's squads captured their seventh honors in the past eight years. 

To be recognized, a program must have at least a 3.1 cumulative team GPA as both squads surpassed that mark easily. The streak continues as both squads have captured the award in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, & 2026. In addition to the academic teams, two Pirates were recognized as individual All-Academic Team Honors in senior Breanna Steele and junior Ella Lewis. 

Lewis excelled both on and off the track, collecting her second straight individual All-Academic award. Athletically, Lewis captured her fourth straight All-Region honor in the past two seasons for her dominance in the Indoor & Outdoor seasons.  The junior ranked fourth in the West Region in the Long Jump highlighted by her performance at the Charles Austin Classic, where she recorded a school record distance of 5.59-Meters. 

Steele concludes her well-rounded career with the award along with multiple Conference Academic Honor Rolls. Athletically, Steele dominated the distance scene earning her third All-Region accolade in the 3,000-Meter Steeplechase after an incredible school record performance in her final meet of 11:01.96. The senior went a perfect two for two at the SAA Championships, winning the 1,500-Meter event and the 3,000-Meter Steeplechase. The year culminated by being recognized as Southwestern's Female Athlete of the Year.