NATCHITOCHES – Three Northwestern State athletes were named to the Southland Conference's Cross Country And Track and Field All-Academic Team including Rechelle Bessard, Quiana Griffin and Por'sha Thomas the league announced Thursday.

Bessard and Thomas were automatic selections for the awards after also being named to the Southland all-conference squad. It is the first time receiving such an accolade for the duo while Griffin raked in her second career all-academic selection.

Bessard, an Abbeville native, posted a 3.09 GPA while working towards her degree in hospitality and tourism management at NSU. The sophomore is the reigning Southland Conference Champion in the discus and advanced to the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds in both the discus and hammer.

Thomas locked in her all-academic selection following a 3.22 GPA in biology. The sophomore from Pearland, Texas also captured both outdoor and indoor championships in the triple jump including a personal best of 41-7 outdoors.

Griffin, a Lake Charles native, notched a 3.16 GPA in health and exercise science. On the track, the senior captured four first place finishes with top marks coming in the 400 meter dash, 4x100 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay.

The all-academic teams are voted on by the head coaches, sports information directors and academic/compliance administrators from each Southland institution. Student-athletes must possess a 3.0 cumulative GPA, have completed one full year at the nominating institution and participated in half of the team's competition to qualify.