Photo by: Tyler McFarland, NCAA Photos
India Jones Repeats as CSC Academic All-American
7/15/2026 10:04:00 AM | Cross Country, Track and Field
GREENWOOD, Ind. – Recent Air Force graduate India Jones captured Academic All-America honors from the College Sports Communicators for the second straight year, as the CSC announced its 2026 Academic All-America Division I Women's Track & Field and Cross Country Team this morning (July 15). A third-team selection last spring, Jones captured First-Team status this year after completing her time at the Academy with a 3.81 GPA in biology.
A native of Wolfeboro, N.H., Jones had a stellar distance career for the Falcons' track & field and cross country teams – capping her career with appearances in the 5000-meter and 10,000-meter semifinals at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Mountain West runner-up in the 10K, Jones stands among the program all-time leaders in the outdoor 5000-meter run (No. 3, 15:50.82 at the Bryan Clay Invitational), 10,000-meter run (No. 4, 33:08.30 at the Stanford Invitational), 3000-meter run (No. 5, 9:21.94a at the MW Indoor Championships) and indoor 5000-meter run (No. 5, 15:53.19 at the Husky Classic).
A three-time CSC Academic All-District selection, Jones was the Falcons' top finisher in all three post-season cross country meets, while adding a top 10 finish at the Bill Dellinger Invitational. Jones captured all-conference (first-team) and all-region honors during her senior season, before placing within the top half of the field at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Twenty-one members of the Air Force track & field and cross country program have been named an Academic All-American a total of 26 times, with Jones becoming just the fourth Falcon to earn the distinction in multiple years – joining Mary Manning (1984, 1985), Chris Nelson (1991, 1992), and Rebecca Esselstein (2013, 2014, 2015). She is also the second Falcon in as many days to earn AAA honors, as classmate Zach Ayers was named to the men's team yesterday.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, student-athlete must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher on a scale of 4.00, be at least a sophomore academically, and meet specific athletic requirements. These student-athletes, nominated by their sports information director, are named Academic All-District and advance to the national ballot, where CSC committee members vote on the Academic All-America teams within each division.
A native of Wolfeboro, N.H., Jones had a stellar distance career for the Falcons' track & field and cross country teams – capping her career with appearances in the 5000-meter and 10,000-meter semifinals at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Mountain West runner-up in the 10K, Jones stands among the program all-time leaders in the outdoor 5000-meter run (No. 3, 15:50.82 at the Bryan Clay Invitational), 10,000-meter run (No. 4, 33:08.30 at the Stanford Invitational), 3000-meter run (No. 5, 9:21.94a at the MW Indoor Championships) and indoor 5000-meter run (No. 5, 15:53.19 at the Husky Classic).
A three-time CSC Academic All-District selection, Jones was the Falcons' top finisher in all three post-season cross country meets, while adding a top 10 finish at the Bill Dellinger Invitational. Jones captured all-conference (first-team) and all-region honors during her senior season, before placing within the top half of the field at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Twenty-one members of the Air Force track & field and cross country program have been named an Academic All-American a total of 26 times, with Jones becoming just the fourth Falcon to earn the distinction in multiple years – joining Mary Manning (1984, 1985), Chris Nelson (1991, 1992), and Rebecca Esselstein (2013, 2014, 2015). She is also the second Falcon in as many days to earn AAA honors, as classmate Zach Ayers was named to the men's team yesterday.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, student-athlete must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher on a scale of 4.00, be at least a sophomore academically, and meet specific athletic requirements. These student-athletes, nominated by their sports information director, are named Academic All-District and advance to the national ballot, where CSC committee members vote on the Academic All-America teams within each division.
Players Mentioned
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