NEW ORLEANS — Junior Elizabeth Lodge of Hartford's women's track and field team was named a U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Athlete, the organization announced. Additionally, both of the Hawks' men's and women's squads earned All-Academic team honors after posting a minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.0 for the academic year.
 
A junior, Lodge becomes Hartford's first-ever student-athlete in program history — on both the men's and women's sides — to earn All-Academic Athlete honors from the USTFCCCA. USTFCCCA All-Academic distinction is awarded to student-athletes who have a cumulative GPA above 3.25 and are ranked within the top 96 in any championship individual event, or in the top 48 in any championship relay event for the most recent season of competition. 
 
"Liz has certainly made an impact within the University of Hartford community, not only for her work on the track and in the field, but also in the classroom," said head coach Stacie Wentz. "This honor recognizes those who are nationally ranked with outstanding performances in the classroom, so she is someone who are student-athletes look up to." 
 
A native of Manchester, Conn., Lodge, who earned a perfect 4.0 this past semester, holds a 3.81 cumulative GPA as a marketing major. She earned America East All-Academic Team distinction twice this season, first receiving the honor at the conclusion of the indoor season before repeating this past spring, and is a three-time member of the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll (3.5+ GPA). 
 
Lodge had a huge junior campaign for the Hawks. Taking home top-billing in both the pentathlon and high jump at the America East Indoor Track and Field Championships while shattering the school records in both events, she was named the championship's Most Outstanding Field Performer. 
 
She has also been stellar both on the track and in field events throughout her entire career, as she is the program's record holder in the pentathlon, heptathlon, 100-meter hurdles and indoor high jump.
 
"Liz is the first athlete in our program to achieve this honor, and I couldn't be prouder of her accomplishments," Wentz said. "After winning the America East Championships in both the pentathlon and high jump en route to being named the Most Outstanding Field Performer, this award caps off a decorated and amazing year for her."
 
Hartford's women's track and field team, which combined for a 3.34 GPA in 2019-20, extends its All-Academic Team honors to three consecutive seasons with this year's award. In addition to Lodge, four other members of the squad are coming off perfect 4.0 GPAs in Spring 2020: Christie Czajka, Hannah D'Orso, Lydia Farmer and Abby Myers.
 
The men's track and field squad takes home All-Academic Team distinction for the second time in Wentz's three years as head coach after posting a 3.46 team GPA over the past academic year. Anthony Clavette, David Gardner and Daniel Reynolds highlighted the academic success by earning 4.0's this past semester.