RICHMOND, Va. – The VCU Men's Track & Field program scored a victory in the classroom this week when it was named an All-Academic Team by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Additionally, four VCU student-athletes claimed individual honors.
 
The USTFCCCA awards the honor to teams that post a combined 3.0 grade-point-average (on a 4.0 scale) or better. VCU made this year's list for the second straight academic year with a 3.18 GPA under Head Coach Jon Riley.
 
In addition, graduate John Casper (York, Pa.), senior David Coles (Alexandria, Va.), junior Philip Daniel (Manassas Park, Va.) and sophomore Isaiah-Taji Kargbo-Owens (Falls Church, Va.) were named All-Academic Athletes by the USTFCCCA. Casper and Kargbo-Owens were also honored in 2023-24.
 
Casper recently put a bow on a standout throwing career with a pair of Atlantic 10 Conference Outdoor titles this spring in the discus and hammer. He advanced to the NCAA East First Round in the hammer in May, where he placed 18^th overall. He also captured the A-10 weight throw championship in March. An Educational Leadership major, Casper was recently named to the A-10's All-Academic Team.
 
Coles, who majored in Information Systems, won the A-10 indoor triple jump in February and claimed runner-up finishes outdoors in the long and triple jumps at the league's championship meet in May. His efforts earned him a berth in the triple jump to the NCAA East Region First Round meet.
 
Daniel leaped a personal-best 15.54 meters in March at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge, a mark that scored him a silver medal at the meet and qualified him for the NCAA Regional round for the first time in his career. He is majoring in Business Management.
 
Kargbo-Owens, who is majoring in Information Systems, scored a silver medal in the triple jump at this season's A-10 Indoor Championships, and followed up with a bronze in the event at the league's outdoor meet this spring. He also earned a berth in the event to the NCAA East First Round for his efforts.