FHSU Athletics
AUSTIN, Texas – Emily Diercks of Fort Hays State cross country/track and field was named to the CSC Academic All-America Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Team for 2024-25, released on Tuesday (July 15). She was a third-team selection. This award honors a combination of academic and athletic accomplishments of the individuals selected.
After a strong two years career at Colby Community College, Diercks burst on the scene in a big way for Fort Hays State in 2024-25. She was the MIAA Champion and a national qualifier in cross country, then earned All-America honors during the outdoor track and field season with a ninth-place finish in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Championships.
Diercks won the 2024 MIAA Championship in cross country by covering the 6K course in a time of 21:30.9, giving FHSU the individual conference champion for a second-straight year after Regan Hodsden won the title in 2023. She went on to individually qualify for the NCAA Championships by placing seventh at the NCAA Central Regional with a time of 21:12.7, her fastest time of the year. At the NCAA Championships, she finished 71st in a time of 21:49.5.
During the track and field season, Diercks was a three-time All-MIAA performer. She earned the distinction both indoor and outdoor in the 5,000 meters, as well as the indoor 3,000 meters. By running a new school record 34:46.53 in the 10,000 meters during the outdoor season, she punched her ticket to the NCAA Championships where she finished ninth for USTFCCCA All-America Second Team honors.
Academically, Diercks earned the MIAA Scholar-Athlete honor for cross country, as well as indoor and outdoor track and field. She was also a member of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll for all three. She maintains a 3.82 cumulative GPA as a Health and Human Performance major.
Diercks gives FHSU its 77th CSC Academic All-America selection all-time for all sports. She is the sixth individual from FHSU to receive the distinction in 2024-25, joining Tadhg Walsh (men's soccer), Myles Menges and Josh Shaw (football), Katie DeGarmo (women's basketball), Cooper Scheck (men's golf).
Fort Hays State's first CSC Academic All-America selection occurred in 1975. FHSU now has 47 Academic All-America selections since joining the MIAA in 2006-07. The track and field program at FHSU has now received 20 CSC Academic All-America selections all-time.