GREENWOOD, Ind. - Damian Garcia's unforgettable 2025–26 season now includes one of the nation's top academic awards.
The Chico State distance standout was named to the 2025–26 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Men's Track & Field/Cross Country Third Team, the organization announced Tuesday. Garcia, a junior, carries a 3.67 grade-point average and is majoring in Business Administration with concentrations in accounting and finance.
Garcia was one of three Chico State men's track & field/cross country student-athletes named CSC Academic All-District earlier this summer, joining Trey Suffredini and Travis Allen. Both Garcia and Suffredini advanced to the Academic All-America ballot, with Garcia earning a spot among the NCAA Division II honorees.
The Academic All-America honor adds to a remarkable year for Garcia, who helped lead Chico State to championship success in both cross country and track & field.
During the fall cross country season, Garcia won the NCAA West Region individual championship and helped the Wildcats capture their ninth consecutive NCAA West Region title and 23rd straight CCAA championship. He also placed second at the CCAA Championships as Chico State swept the first two spots and continued its long run of conference dominance.
Garcia carried that momentum into the outdoor track & field season, producing one of the finest middle-distance campaigns in program history. He won both the 800 meters and 1,500 meters at the CCAA Championships, helping the Wildcats claim the conference team title. He later broke Chico State records in both events, running 1:48.23 in the 800 and 3:35.61 in the 1,500 at the APU Franson Last Chance meet.
At the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Garcia earned first-team All-America honors in the 1,500 meters, adding another national award to a season that also included USTFCCCA All-West Region recognition in both the 800 and 1,500.
The CSC Academic All-America program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined achievements in competition and in the classroom. The 2025–26 men's track & field/cross country Academic All-America teams were selected by College Sports Communicators and included honorees from NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III and the NAIA.
