Indianapolis, Ind. – The 2026 Academic All-District Cross Country and Track Team, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC), recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their achievements both in competition and in the classroom. Lewis University Track and Field and Cross Country had five earn this honor.
Leading the women's honorees was
Megan Garrett (Charleston, Ill./Charleston). Garrett earned All-GLVC honors at the 2025 GLVC Cross Country Championships and helped guide the Flyers to a national championship appearance. During the track season, she was a member of the GLVC Champion Distance Medley Relay team at the Indoor Championships and finished runner-up in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the GLVC Outdoor Championships. She capped off her season by competing in the steeplechase at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Joining Garrett on the women's side was
Denise Hernandez (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS), who put together an outstanding 2025 resume. Hernandez claimed GLVC Indoor Championships titles in both the triple jump and long jump before earning national runner-up honors in the long jump at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. She continued her success outdoors, winning the GLVC long jump title and placing third in the event at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships.
Also earning Academic All-District recognition was
Brynlee Keeran (Catlin, Ill./Catlin HS). Keeran captured the GLVC Indoor Championship in the pole vault, adding another conference title to an impressive season. Keeran also contributed key points to help her team win the GLVC Outdoor Championship.
Representing the men's side,
Brendon Shea (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) was selected as an Academic All-District honoree after an exceptional year in both cross country and track and field. Shea earned All-GLVC honors at the 2025 GLVC Cross Country Championships and helped lead the Flyers to a national championship appearance. During the indoor season, he finished runner-up in the 5,000 meters at the GLVC Championships. Outdoors, he earned a second-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the GLVC Championships before earning Second Team All-America honors in the event at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships.
Rounding out the honorees was
Abraham Christian (Huntley, Ill./Huntley HS). Christian won the high jump at both the GLVC Indoor and Outdoor Championships and earned Second Team All-America honors during the indoor season. He later added NCAA Division II Outdoor All-America honors to conclude a remarkable year of competition.
The Academic All-District distinction highlights excellence both athletically and academically. Each of Lewis University's five honorees maintained a cumulative GPA above 3.5 while competing at the highest levels of collegiate athletics, demonstrating the dedication and discipline required to succeed in the classroom and in competition.
Academic All-District® honorees are considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First, second and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in July.
