Six ACU Men's Track Athletes on Academic All-District Team
6/23/2026 6:00:00 PM | Track & Field
Six Abilene Christian men's track and field/cross country athletes were recognized for excellence in their sport and in the classroom by being named to the Academic All-District team by College Sports Communicators on Tuesday.
To qualify for the prestigious honor, an athlete must have accumulated at least a 3.5 GPA and recorded a top 50 regional ranking in a single event.
The six student-athletes represent the maximum amount of honorees ACU could have received.
Mark Barajas - Sophomore, El Paso, Texas
Benjamin Castro - Sophomore, McGregor, Texas
Carlos Cortez - Sophomore, Troy, Texas
Canaan Fairley - Senior, San Antonio, Texas
Vincent Luffey - Sophomore, Aledo, Texas
Ryan McMeen - Sophomore, Aubrey, Texas
To qualify for the prestigious honor, an athlete must have accumulated at least a 3.5 GPA and recorded a top 50 regional ranking in a single event.
The six student-athletes represent the maximum amount of honorees ACU could have received.
Mark Barajas - Sophomore, El Paso, Texas
- 3.54 GPA, management major
- A top distance runner in the region in both the indoor and outdoor track seasons
- Ranked 33rd in the indoor 3,000-meter run (8:19), and 35th in the indoor 5,000-meter run (14:47)
- Recorded the 12th best time in the outdoor 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:08)
Benjamin Castro - Sophomore, McGregor, Texas
- 3.76 GPA, marketing major
- Finished 19th in the region in the indoor 800-meter run with a time of 1:50
- Also part of the region's 9th best time in the indoor distance medley relay (9:57)
Carlos Cortez - Sophomore, Troy, Texas
- 3.90 GPA, finance major
- Indoor 3,000-meter run ranked 39th regionally (8:20)
Canaan Fairley - Senior, San Antonio, Texas
- 3.51 GPA, political science major
- One of the most well-rounded athletes in the region competing int he heptathlon and decathlon
- In the indoor season, ranked 8th in the heptathlon (5,532 points), 50th in the 60-meter hurdles (8.10), and 29th in the 4x400 relay (3:16)
- In the outdoor season, ranked 5th in the decathlon (7,380 points), 34th in the high jump (2.05m), and 18th in the 4x100 relay (40.27)
Vincent Luffey - Sophomore, Aledo, Texas
- 3.73 GPA, kinesiology major
- Posted the 37th best time in the region in the indoor mile run (4:08)
- Ranked 41st in the region in the outdoor 800-meter run (1:50.7)
- Part of the region's 9th best time in the indoor distance medley relay (9:57)
Ryan McMeen - Sophomore, Aubrey, Texas
- 3.65 GPA, finance major
- Was 21st in the region in the outdoor 400-meter hurdles (0:51.59)
Players Mentioned
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
ACU Football: Sam Hicks Prepares for Canadian Football League Debut
Tuesday, June 09
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | May 11, 2026
Tuesday, May 12
ACU Baseball: Senior Day Ceremony | May 9, 2026
Saturday, May 09
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | May 4, 2026
Monday, May 04
