GREENWOOD, Ind. - Washington & Jefferson College standout student-athlete and recent graduate Claire Anderson (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown) earned a spot on the 2025-26 Academic All-America® track and field/cross country teams, as selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). Anderson was listed as a Third Team Academic All-American® for her efforts in 2025-26.
 
In earning Academic All-America status, Anderson's honor marks the 80th time that a W&J student-athlete has secured recognition from the CSC (formerly CoSIDA) in school history. Anderson continues now a 15-year tradition of a President being named an Academic All-American. She is the fifth individual to earn Academic All-America from the W&J women's cross country/track & field teams.
 
Anderson will go down as one of the top women's student-athletes in recent memory after putting together a record-breaking career with the Cross County and Track & Field programs at W&J. Anderson stands alone as the only two-time All-American in W&J Women's Cross Country history. She has participated in six NCAA Championship events overall. Anderson put together a senior year to remember, as she earned All-America First Team honors on three occasions.
 
"Separate from being one of the best runners I've ever coached she's also one of the most witty people I've ever known. Conversations with Claire are always special and never disappoint," stated Head Coach Andy Upton. "But second to all of that she is an extremely hard worker and motivated to be great at everything she does. Not only as a runner but as a student in the classroom as well. As her coach, seeing her get this award is as rewarding as watching her get the All-American award on the track or the course."
 
At the 2025 NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country Championships in November, Anderson made history by racing to a third-place finish at the event. Her time of 21:13.4 helped her record the best-ever finish by a Presidents' Athletic Conference runner at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Just a few weeks earlier, Anderson battled an illness to help the Presidents make history as a team, as the group earned its first conference title in program history. Anderson finished her Cross-Country career as a two-time All-American, a two-time USTFCCCA Mid-Atlantic Region Cross Country Athlete of the Year, a three-time All-Region performer and a two-time PAC Runner of the Year.
 
Anderson followed that up with Second Team All-American honors in the 5000 Meters at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in mid-March. Anderson saved her best for last, as she earned two All-America honors at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in La Crosse, Wisc. in May. Anderson placed third in the 10,000 meters and sixth in the 5,000 meters to cement herself as one of the top female athletes in W&J history. Her track career has seen her produce eight school record times. This past spring, Anderson represented W&J as its Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the PAC banquet.
 
"Everybody has got to watch her in her uniform and knows how talented she is as a runner. What people don't get to see is the time that she puts into her studies. The hours she logs in opposing schools' libraries as she waits for her race to start," replied Upton. "The time she spends on her computer when we are driving to and from the National Championships. She is super fast, super smart, and works her tail off to be the best she can be in both areas. She is super deserving of this award and again I couldn't be prouder of her!"
 
To be eligible for the award, nominated and voted upon by Athletic Communication professionals, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative 3.50 GPA or higher and must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at their institution. Nominees must have been regionally-ranked in at least one individual event and have legitimate athletic and academic credentials.