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.
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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.