BREAKING: In an impressive dual achievement, Kylie Gray of Dalton State has been named to the 2025 SSAC Women’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Team, highlighting her extraordinary balance of academic and athletic excellence. This prestigious announcement was made by the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) earlier today, underscoring Gray’s elite status as one of only three athletes to achieve a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Gray’s remarkable performance extends beyond her academic accolades. Competing in a challenging fall season, she secured All-Conference honors by finishing in the top-13 at the recent SSAC Championship. Her standout moments include a stunning 5K time of 19:10 at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge and a 6K personal best of 23:27, recorded at both the SSAC Championship and the UAH Charger Invitational.
With a top finish of 4th place at the Mountainside Stride and a solid 43rd place finish at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge, Gray’s performances have made her a key figure in the sport this season.
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year accolade was awarded to Kristina Stojanovic from William Carey, further highlighting the competitive nature of this conference. To be selected for the Scholar-Athlete Team, student-athletes must be in their sophomore year or above, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3, and have participated in at least 50% of their team’s competitions.
This recognition not only celebrates Gray’s individual accomplishments but also inspires fellow athletes to strive for excellence both in academics and sports.
As the spring season approaches, all eyes will be on Gray to see how she continues to perform on the trails and in the classroom. Stay tuned for more updates on her journey and the upcoming events in the SSAC.
