University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI track & field: Ten honored with USTFCCCA Academic All-American status
7/23/2025 12:30:00 PM | Track and Field
Both Panther men’s and women’s team honored with All-Academic Team nods as well.
NEW ORLEANS --- Ten members of the UNI track and field team, as well as both the men's and women's teams as a whole were recognized for their academic excellence this week with the release of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA), 2024-25 academic honors.
To be considered for team recognition, a team must register a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) on a 4.00 scale for all of its student-athletes. Individually, student-athletes must post a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA, have completed at least two semesters at their nominating institution and have been ranked nationally in competition. Competition consideration requires a top-96 ranking in an individual event or top-48 in a relay during the indoor season, or a top-96 outdoor ranking in any event in their respective NCAA competing region.
The Panther women's team posted a team cumulative GPA of 3.59 this season, the highest among the five Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) programs recognized. UNI's men's team posted a 3.27 cumulative GPA, one of three MVC men's teams to earn the national team honor.
Panthers who earned individual Academic All-American nods include Spencer Kessel, Chase Knoche, Carson Lienau, David Russell, Brendan Safley, Katie Fare, Carlie Jo Fusco, Emma Hoins, Joey Perry and Katy Stephens.
UNI track and field action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Track and Field), X (@UNITrackFieldXC) and on Instagram (@uni_tf_xc). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
Players Mentioned
