Estus Earns SUNYAC Women's Cross County Scholar Athlete of the Year Honors

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Plattsburgh's Grace Estus is the 2025 SUNYAC Women's Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year as nominated and voted on by the conference sports information directors. 

Estus was named the SUNYAC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week on Sept. 15 after capturing first place at the SUNYAC preview with a time of 23:52.0. The Clifton Park, N.Y. native consistently led the Cardinals this season, finishing as the team's top runner in three races. In her first SUNYAC championship, Estus narrowly missed out on All-SUNYAC honors, placing 17th overall while recording a personal-best time of 23:34.8 in the 6k race. This marked the fastest performance of her collegiate career.

Estus, a junior, holds a 4.0 overall GPA as an English major. At the 2025 conference championship, she was awarded the prestigious SUNYAC Elite 20 award, recognizing excellence both academically and athletically.

In order to be eligible for the SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year award student-athletes must prove both academic and athletic excellence by obtaining a minimum 3.30 overall GPA, be a starter or significant reserve for their team, and be at least a sophomore. The SUNYAC Scholar Athlete Award began in 2016-17.