Track & Field

Rider, Mateescu Honored for High GPAs

NEW ORLEANS, LA—The Rider University men's and women's track & field teams were recognized for their high grade point averages by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The Rider women's team possessed a 3.44 grade point average, and the Rider men had a 3.12 team G.P.A. to earn USTFCCCA All-Academic team honors.

“We always challenge our teams and athletes to be great in the classroom,” said Rider head coach Bob Hamer. “We set goals and one of those goals is to be honored by the coaches association as an All-Academic team. It makes me really proud to have a program that is fulfilling the mission of the university.”

Senior Nicolette Mateescu was named to the individual USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. The Rider female Athlete of the Year, Mateescu compiled a 3.819 grade point average as a Psychology major. In outdoor track & field Mateescu was an NCAA qualifier and a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion. During the fall she placed third in the MAAC cross country Championship. As a senior Mateescu set Rider records in the 3,000m, the 5,000m and the 10,000m.

“I'm really proud of Niky,” Hamer said.  “In order to be honored you need to be a tremendous athlete who has qualified to NCAA level competition. She has combined excellent academics with excellent athletic achievement to earn this honor. It's an honor that is well deserved.”

Rider was one of 122 men's programs to be recognized for academic and athletic success, and was one of 220 women's teams to be honored.

The Rider cross country and track & field program had 48 members on the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll.

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