EAST LANSING, MI — The pursuit of excellence continues in East Lansing, and it’s not just happening on the track. Michigan State University proudly announced that four standout student-athletes from the Track & Field and Cross Country programs — Kate O’Connor, Valeria Rojas, Tyler Spencer, and Andy Wallace — have earned Academic All-District honors, a prestigious recognition awarded by College Sports Communicators.
The honor celebrates student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically, highlighting their achievements in the classroom while competing at the highest levels of collegiate sports.
Balancing Speed, Strength, and Scholarship
The four honorees represent the true Spartan ideal — a relentless commitment to academics while pushing the limits in competition. Each maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher, all while balancing rigorous training schedules, cross-country travel, and intense competition across the Big Ten and NCAA events.
- Kate O’Connor, a senior distance runner, is majoring in Biomedical Sciences and led MSU with multiple top-10 finishes this season in 5K and 10K events.
- Valeria Rojas, a junior sprinter from Illinois, is studying Business Analytics and broke two personal records this season in the 400m and 4×400 relay.
- Tyler Spencer, a graduate student in Civil Engineering, earned All-Big Ten honors in the pole vault while contributing to academic research on sustainable infrastructure.
- Andy Wallace, a redshirt junior and steeplechase specialist, balances a heavy course load in Kinesiology while consistently placing among the top Spartan scorers.
A Culture of All-Around Excellence
“These four embody what it means to be a Spartan,” said MSU Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, Lisa Breznau. “They lead by example, both in competition and in the classroom. We’re incredibly proud of their discipline, time management, and drive.”
The Academic All-District award is the first step toward Academic All-America status, with national honorees set to be announced later this summer.
Spartans Setting the Standard
At a time when student-athlete demands are greater than ever, these Spartans prove that academic and athletic greatness can go hand-in-hand. Congratulations to Kate, Valeria, Tyler, and Andy — the definition of Spartan Strong.
#SpartanExcellence #MSUTrack #AcademicAllDistrict #SpartanPride 💚📚🏃♀️🏃♂️
