AUSTIN, Texas – Emily Manfra, who has already graduated as the most decorated runner in Suffolk's women's cross country and track & field's history, has added more clout to her extensive resume with a spot on the 2019-20 Academic All-American Division III Track & Field/Cross Country first-team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Despite the cancellation of the spring competition as a result of COVID-19, CoSIDA continued its sponsorship of the Academic All-America awards program. Student-athletes were selected based on career statistics/results.
Manfra's second straight academic all-america nod from the national organization is a historical feat for not only the senior, but Suffolk, as she is the first-ever student-athlete to achieve a pair of such nods with a third-team spot in 2018-19. Additionally, she is the only Ram to grab a spot on the first-team, upstaging her second-team place last season.
A year ago, she became one of three Rams to earn the distinction joining men's basketball's Brian Small (second team) and softball's Taylor Holmes (third, who were recognized in 2009 and 2018, respectively. Joining the list alongside Manfra's second honor this season was men's cross country/track & field's Matyas Csiki-Fejer, who became the youngest student-athlete honored, achieving a third-team nod as a sophomore.
Athletically, Manfra proved to be second to none throughout her four years on the course. The long-distance runner has compiled multiple milestones on the national, regional and conference level. Her resume includes a pair of All-America recognitions for the indoor mile from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), five all-region nods. She was named GNAC Runner of the Year three times, GNAC Rookie of the Year in cross country once, and achieved GNAC Champion status on four occasions to go along with seven all-league recognitions. Of the course, she was honored for her sportsmanship as well, with two GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team nods.
The biology major was near perfect over her eight semesters at Suffolk with a 3.99 cumulative GPA. Academically she earned three all-academic team honors from the USTFCCCA and GNAC, respectively. The eight-team AD Honor Roll selection, put together an unblemished 4.0 GPA in six of her eight semesters as a Ram.