Western Wayne Today

Three Wayne State University men's cross country athletes have been honored as All-Academic Athletes by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The athletes recognized are Ransom Allen from Ithaca, Michigan, Tyler Buchanan from Fenton, Michigan, and Seth Pianga from Livonia, Michigan.

The Wayne State Warriors were also acknowledged as an All-Academic Team for their 2023 performance. Head Coach Grant Lofdahl's team achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.51 last fall semester, ranking them 23rd in Division II and second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

The USTFCCCA named a total of 302 men as All-Academic Athletes for the 2023 season and identified 131 teams as All-Academic Teams. To qualify individually, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-30 percent of their regional championship meet. For team recognition, programs need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and must compile a team score at their regional championship meet.

Ransom Allen concluded his collegiate cross country career with numerous accolades including being named Division II Men's Athlete of the Year for the Midwest Region by the USTFCCCA. He finished 13th at the NCAA Championship in Joplin, Missouri, becoming Wayne State's first male runner to earn three-time All-American status from the coaches association. Additionally, he won both the NCAA Midwest Regional's 10K race and the GLIAC Championships' 8K race.

Allen was also recognized academically; he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering last May and is now pursuing his master's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He maintained an undergraduate GPA of 3.989.

Tyler Buchanan earned All-Region honors after finishing 24th at the Midwest Regional with a time of 31:29:30 and received Second Team All-GLIAC recognition following his performance at the GLIAC Championships.

Freshman Seth Pianga had several notable finishes during his first collegiate season including ninth place at his debut event, the Warrior Challenge.