AMERICUS, Ga. – The Peach Belt Conference released its 2024 cross country Teams of Academic Distinction presented by Barnes & Noble College this week. Georgia Southwestern State University sophomores Melissa Duarte, Simone Gillispie and Edwin Gonzalez earned the recognition.

Duarte and Gillispie are both two-sport athletes. Duarte, a computer science major from Brasilia, Brazil, is a member of the women's tennis team as well and holds a 3.576 grade point average. Gillispie, an exercise science major from Salem, Ala., is on the softball team and has a 3.65 GPA.

Gonzalez, a biology major from Americus, carries a 3.827 GPA. He's the first men's team honoree since 2021 and the second in the six-year history of the program. 

The team is a part of the PBC's larger initiative to celebrate the academic achievements of PBC student-athletes. 

To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility. The Peach Belt Conference sports communications professionals oversee the program.

For the complete list, click here.