A Different Finish Line

By Jack Daly ’01

Jamar Davis saw his grade point average dip a bit last year. To be clear: the standout jumper on the Wolfpack track and field team still did a lot right. He earned academic All-American honors for the 2020–21 academic year as part of a year when the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association recognized the NC State men’s and women’s team for their work in the classroom. The women had a cumulative GPA of 3.381, while the men posted a 3.218.

But Davis, a senior marketing major from Mebane, N.C., struggled a bit more than usual with his grades.

There were a lot of factors at play. With the pandemic, there was a bit less structure in his day-to-day life. Back in a more normal routine in 2021, Davis appreciates the academic support he and his teammates typically receive. Whether it is tutors, physical study spaces, coaches prioritizing classes, or just having teammates and friends around to maintain spirits, the contrast between 2020 and 2021 was striking to him. “Coming back to in-person classes and being on campus and having that in-person tutoring and support staff has been really helpful,” Davis says.

Members of the women’s team made similar observations. With everyone back on campus, they expect to post an even higher GPA in 2021–22. Savannah Shaw, a distance runner from Pennsylvania who also earned All-American academic honors, says members of the team collectively decide on three sets of goals before each season — team goal, individual goals and academic goals. “Our academic goal is always around a 3.5,” says Shaw, who is pursuing a master’s degree in communications.