MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Dalton State's Kylie Gray highlighted the Roadrunners on the 2026 Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Women's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Team, earning recognition for her elite performance both in the classroom and in competition.
 
Gray, a key contributor to Dalton State's women's track & field program, posted a perfect 4.0 GPA, one of only two student-athletes in the conference to achieve the mark this season. Her academic excellence, combined with her consistent role in the Roadrunners' lineup, secured her place among the SSAC's top scholar-athletes.
 
A cornerstone of Dalton State's distance group, Gray has built a reputation for discipline and consistency throughout her career. She has contributed in multiple events and has been a dependable scorer in conference competition, continuing the program's emphasis on balancing athletic success with academic achievement. Her selection to the scholar-athlete team reflects both her impact on the track and her commitment in the classroom.
 
Gray's recognition adds to Dalton State's growing presence within the conference's academic honors, reinforcing the program's commitment to excellence beyond competition. Her achievement places her alongside standout performers from across the SSAC, including student-athletes from Loyola (La.), William Carey (Miss.), Mobile (Ala.), Xavier (La.), and Life (Ga.).
 
Emeline Delaville from Life (Ga.) was named the 2026 SSAC Women's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive season. The senior business administration major carries a 3.96 GPA and has qualified for multiple NAIA National Championship events, including the 800m, 1500m, 4x400m, and 4x800m. She also won the 2026 NAIA Indoor National Championship in the 800 meters with a time of 2:08.38.
 
The SSAC Scholar-Athlete Team recognizes student-athletes who maintain at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA, compete in at least 50 percent of their team's events, and serve as key contributors. Gray not only met those standards but exceeded them academically, placing her among the conference's top performers scholastically.
 
In addition to Gray's 4.0 GPA, Loyola's Payton Knowles also achieved a perfect mark, while Xavier's Leojai Hibbert (3.94), Loyola's Jordyn Minor (3.95), and Mobile's Emily Wolf (3.8) were among the conference's next-highest academic performers.
 
For Dalton State, Gray's selection reflects the program's continued development and the culture of accountability emphasized by the Roadrunners' coaching staff. As she continues her career, her combination of academic excellence and competitive drive positions her as a model student-athlete within the program and the conference.
 
2026 SSAC Women's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Team
Tenosh Landry, Loyola
Jordyn Minor, Loyola
Emeline Delaville, Life
Leojai Hibbert, Xavier
Kristina Stojanovic, William Carey
Kyja Williams, Life
Emily Wolf, Mobile
Kylie Gray, Dalton State
JaNiya McDonald, William Carey
Payton Knowles, Life
Kerrishma Williams, William Carey
 
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