Six UTEP T&F Student-Athletes Named USTFCCCA All-Academic

7/14/2023 10:59:00 AM

NEW ORLEANS – UTEP's Jakub Belik, Daniel Bernal, Karon Dean, Zani Meaders, Arianne Morais and Roosa Yloenen were named All-Academic Athletes for the 2023 NCAA Division I Women's Track & Field as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Thursday.

The UTEP men's (3.13 GPA) and women's (3.27) teams were also honored to the All-Academic Teams list.

The six student-athletes maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.

Belik had a 3.81 GPA while majoring in computer science. The sophomore sensation advanced to the NCAA Nationals in the high jump, earning Honorable Mention All-American honors. He captured gold in the high jump at the both the Conference USA Indoor and Outdoor Championships. He leaded a personal-best 2.16m (7-1) at the outdoor championships. The native of the Czech Republic was also named to the CUSA All-Academic team, while also being honored to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors.

Bernal's season was cut short due to injury, but saw success during the indoor campaign. Bernal, a graduate student, has a cumulative 3.50 GPA while working towards a Master of Industrial Engineering. The transfer from Furman, and product of El Paso (Eastwood High School), earned a gold medal at the 2023 CUSA indoor championships in the 3000-meter event, clocking in a personal-best 8:00.14. Bernal also won silver in the 5000-meter final, posting a 14:09.52. He opened the 2023 track season with a personal-best 13:52.79 in the 5000m at the Boston University Sharon Colyear Danville Season Opener on Dec. 3. Bernal was a member of the 2023 CUSA All-Academic team.

Dean kept up a 3.50 GPA in multidisciplinary studies. Dean advanced to the NCAA West Prelims in Sacramento, Calif., competing in the 100m dash. He placed sixth in the 100 (10.43) in the finals at the CUSA Championships. Dean clocked in a personal-best 10.33 in the 100, placing first at the Willie Williams Classic.

Meaders, a junior transfer, maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in creative writing. She claimed a bronze medal in the 400-meter dash at the CUSA Championships on May 14, while also earning gold in the women's 4x400-meter relay and silver in the 4x100 in Denton. She advanced to the NCAA West Prelims, competing in the 400, 4x1 and 4x4. Meaders ran an outdoor personal-best 53.65 in the 400m, placing first at the New Mexico Spring Invitational. She was also part of the 4x100 team that posted a season-best 44.05 at the Desert Heat Classic on April 29. The native of the Chino Hills, Calif., was also named to the CUSA All-Academic team, while also being honored to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors.

Morais kept a perfect 4.0 in leadership studies (GR). The junior earned second team All-America honors at the NCAA Championships in the javelin. Morais's best mark was a 51.43-meter (168-8) toss on her first attempt as she placed 14^th overall. Morais improved from last year's showing in Eugene, Ore., as the junior transfer from Florida placed 22^nd (50.26m, 164-11). Morais is the first female UTEP javelin thrower since 2010 (Anna Wessman) to be honored as an All-American. Morais finished the season ranked seventh nationally with a personal-best 57.38m (188-3).

Yloenen graduated from UTEP in December 2022, maintaining a 3.75 GPA in Economics. Roosa Yloenen's best throw was 47.90 meters (151-8) on her third and final attempt of her collegiate career in the javelin final. The senior competed in Eugene in 2021, finishing 18^th (50.28m, 164-11). Yloenen ranked 26^th nationally with a 51.40m (168-8).

For complete coverage of UTEP Track & Field/Cross Country, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPTrack (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

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