Seven Cal Poly track and field athletes, along with both the men’s and women’s teams, have been recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their academic achievements.
The student-athletes named as All-Academic Athletes are Rory Devaney, Lexi Evans, Corban Payne, Spencer Pickren, Carson Smith, Chase Walter, and Lewis Westwood. Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams earned All-Academic Team honors.
To qualify for All-Academic Team status from the USTFCCCA, programs must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Individual student-athletes must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and either participate in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships or finish the season with a top 48 mark in their region to be eligible for All-Academic Athlete recognition.
Devaney and Evans received All-Academic Athlete honors for the third consecutive year. Payne and Westwood were honored for the second straight year, while Pickren, Smith, and Walter received this recognition for the first time.
Rory Devaney added another achievement to his career after placing fifth in the men’s hammer throw at this year’s NCAA Outdoor Championships. He became First Team All-American and is now Cal Poly’s highest finisher in a men’s field event at the NCAA level since 2007. Devaney also holds school records in men’s hammer throw, discus, and weight throw.
Lexi Evans was recently named Third Team Academic All-America by CSC, becoming only the seventh Cal Poly track & field/cross country athlete to receive that honor. This season she broke her own school record in women’s pole vault by more than five inches, won her second Big West title in that event, and finished tied for 14th at the NCAA West Preliminary meet.
Corban Payne reached his second consecutive West Prelims appearance in men’s shot put this season. He set a personal best of 60 feet, 4.5 inches (18.40 meters), moved up to No. 2 all-time at Cal Poly in shot put distance rankings during his final collegiate season, placed third at this year’s Big West Championships, and received All-Big West honors for the first time.
Spencer Pickren competed at his third straight West Prelims in men’s 1,500-meter run this spring with a time that ranks sixth-fastest all-time at Cal Poly (3:41.16). At conference level he earned All-Big West honors again by finishing third in men’s 5,000 meters while taking fourth place in the 1,500 meters.
Carson Smith posted Cal Poly’s fourth-fastest ever men’s 1,500-meter time (3:38.76) this season en route to qualifying for his second straight West Prelims appearance. At Big West Championships he finished runner-up in men’s 1,500—breaking previous meet records—and took third place in men’s 800 meters.
Chase Walter transitioned from baseball pitcher to sprinter over his college career before setting indoor school records in both men’s 400- and 600-meter races this year; outdoors he recorded program-best times as well as helping break a decades-old school relay record.
Lewis Westwood qualified twice for postseason competition; this spring he made it to his first men’s 800 event after previously competing last year in the men’s 1,500 meters race while running Cal Poly’s fourth fastest-ever men’s 800 meter time (1:47.97).
Both teams’ recognition highlights ongoing academic success among Cal Poly track & field athletes alongside competitive results on regional and national stages.
