NEW ORLEANS - The University of North Georgia track & field team and rising junior Abigail Kirkland each earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors as announced by the association Monday afternoon.

From Milledgeville, Georgia, Kirkland earned her second All-Academic honor in her career after being named All-Conference in three events this season, including defending her 400 meter hurdles championship. She was also named All-Region in the event by the USTFCCCA.

A total of 448 women earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors during the 2018-19 track & field seasons. To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic award, student-athletes must have compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and have reached a provisional or automatic qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships in either the indoor or outdoor season.

As a team, the Nighthawks finished the year with a 3.37 cumulative GPA, earning All-Academic honors for the third season in a row. UNG was one of 130 women's teams to be honored by the association for their academic achievements.

To earn All-Academic status as a team, a program must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA as a team.