AUSTIN, Texas – Two Mid-American Conference student-athletes have been named to the 2024-25 Academic All-America® Team for women’s track & field and cross country, as announced today by College Sports Communicators.

Central Michigan’s Emily Paupore earned a spot on the Second Team, while Ball State’s Jenelle Rogers was named to the Third Team. The duo were the only MAC representatives recognized among the 45 student-athletes honored across the three Academic All-America teams.

Paupore, a fifth-year senior from Negaunee, Mich., posted a 3.91 GPA while earning a degree in education (Pre-K through 6th). She placed 11th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships to earn second-team All-America honors in competition. During the 2024-25 academic year, she also claimed three MAC titles (steeplechase, 5,000m outdoor; 5,000m indoor) and earned all-region honors in cross country.

Paupore becomes just the second student-athlete in CMU Cross Country and Track & Field history to earn Academic All-America honors, and the first since 1997. Rogers is the latest in a long line of Ball State student-athletes to earn the distinction.
The Academic All-America program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.

Rogers, a four-time track & field All-American, graduated from Ball State with a 3.93 GPA in interior design. She competed during the 2024 indoor season and earned Third Team Academic All-America honors. Rogers owns both the MAC and Ball State records in the pentathlon (indoor) and heptathlon (outdoor), and earned two All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships and two at the NCAA Outdoor Championships during her career.

The Academic All-America program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.