ARKADELPHIA – Five student-athletes from Ouachita's women's track & field and cross country teams have been selected to the 2024-25 Academic All-District Team presented by College Sports Communicators.
The five Tigers chosen include Mackenzie Davis, Allison Hylkema, Elise Knight, Katelynn Nachtigal, and Belle Lindsey.
Requirements for the honor include having reached at least sophomore academic standing, carry at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, and have posted a top 50 time or distance in the region this past year.
Davis, a recent graduate from Frisco, Texas, finished her collegiate career this past season with three top 50 rankings in the region, highlighted by a No. 10 ranking in the 10,000 meters and a No. 14 ranking in the 5,000 meters. She graduated with honors in May with a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. This is Davis' third consecutive season to earn Academic All-District honors. She earned a spot on the All-Ouachita team this year as the top scholar athlete on the women's track & field team.
Hylkema, a junior from Jackson, Tennessee, recently completed her third season with the Tigers. She was Ouachita's top cross country runner this season with a fourth place finish at the Great American Conference meet and a 23rd place finish at the regional championship meet. She then went on to post two top 20 finishes in track, coming in at No. 17 in the region in the 10,000 meters and No. 20 in the 5,000 meters. Academically, she holds a perfect 4.0 GPA majoring in political science and communications. She earned a spot on the All-Ouachita team this year as the top scholar athlete on the women's cross country team.
Knight, a junior from Jonesboro, also recently wrapped up her third year at Ouachita. She posted two top 20 finishes in the region this year in track, including No. 6 in the steeplechase and No. 20 in the 1,500 meters. Academically, she carries a perfect 4.0 GPA majoring in biophysics and professional chemistry with a minor in mathematics.
Nachtigal, a junior from Rogers, made history for the Tigers this past year as the first women's track & field athlete to represent Ouachita at the national championships. She had the second-best time in the region this year in steeplechase, which was the 21st best in the nation. Academically, she is pursuing a degree in business administration. She earned a spot on the All-Ouachita team this year as the top athlete on the women's track & field team.
Lindsey, a sophomore from DeQueen, turned in three top 20 finishes in the region this year – coming in at No. 15 in the 400-meter hurdles, No. 18 in the heptathlon, and No. 20 in the 100-meter hurdles. Academically, she carries a perfect 4.0 GPA majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in education.
