The Northwestern State women’s track and field squad has been named a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team, and five Lady Demon student-athletes earned individual national acclaim for their academic and athletic prowess.

Raven-Symone Jarrett, Shakera Kirk, Teodora Samac, Maygan Shaw and Shakera Williams all earned their place in the national spotlight.

In order to be honored, the team must post at least a 3.0 GPA and individually, the student-athlete must post a 3.25 GPA or better in the last semester while competing.

The team sported a 3.348 GPA as a team in addition to winning both the indoor and outdoor conference championships for a second consecutive season.

Included on the All-Louisiana Team in both the 100-meter hurdles and heptathlon, Jarrett posted a 3.33 GPA while majoring in homeland security.

Shaw, a second-team All-American, put up a 3.423 GPA majoring in nursing.

She was the SLC Women’s Track Athlete of the Year in both indoor and outdoor seasons, as she took home five gold medals at the conference meet. She also broke the school record in the outdoor 400 on two occasions.

Samac is the lone Lady Demon freshman to be honored, as the javelin thrower recorded a 4.0 GPA as a health and exercise science major. She found the podium at the SLC outdoor meet, placing third with a toss of 149-9, which helped earn her a spot at the NCAA East First Round in Jacksonville.

Williams, first team All-Louisiana in the shot put, posted a 3.433 GPA while majoring in liberal arts. Williams earned her first team spot at the SLC outdoor meet, tossing a 51-2.75 to claim the gold.

Kirk posted a 3.408 GPA majoring in psychology. She has now made the podium with top three finishes in the discus at both outdoor conference meets