Five Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country student-athletes named Academic All-District by CSC

AUSTIN, Texas (May 31, 2023) – The Milligan University women's track & field and cross country program had five student-athletes named Academic All-District by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) on Wednesday.

The group includes 2023 graduates Caitlin Dominy, Ali Burns and Halie Hawkins Higgins. Graduate student Kiley Wood and rising senior Gracie Allen also earned spots on the Academic All-District squad.

Dominy earned a psychology degree with a 4.0 grade point average. She enjoyed a breakout 2022-23 season that saw her earn All-America honors in cross country (14th) and indoor track (3rd in 3k). Dominy also ran on Milligan's All-American distance medley relay at the NAIA Indoor National Championships. Dominy was the 2022-23 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. She won AAC titles in the indoor 3k and outdoor 5k and was the conference runner-up in cross country, indoor 1k, indoor mile and outdoor 1500.

Burns also graduated with 4.0 GPA as a biology major. Burns was a two-time NAIA national championships participant in cross country and ran No. 7 on Milligan's 2021 national championship team. Burns claimed the AAC title last spring in the 3000 meter steeplechase and earned All-AAC honors in cross country, the indoor mile and distance medley relay.

Higgins earned a degree in political science with a 3.88 GPA. A three-time AAC pole vault champion, Higgins was a six-time All-AAC honoree in the pole vault and holds Milligan's all-time record at 3.25 meters.

Wood owns a 4.0 GPA while pursing a Master of Education. She has run on four AAC championship-winning relays and helps with team operations during the cross country season. Wood ran on Milligan's All-American DMR in 2021.

Allen is a 4.0 student majoring in electrical engineering and computer science. She is a three-time All-AAC selection in cross country and ran No. 5 on Milligan's 2021 NAIA national championship team in 2021. A two-time NAIA relay All-American on Milligan's DMR (2021 and 2022), Allen was an indoor national qualifier in the 1k and 5k each of the last two years. Allen is a six-time AAC relays champion.

CSC's Academic All-District program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined athletic and academic performance. Academic All-District honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot.