University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Athletics celebrates February Student-Athletes of the Month
2/11/2026 5:32:00 PM | General
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI Athletics is proud to honor four outstanding student-athletes with Athlete of the Month awards for February 2026.
The award recipients, voted on by members of UNI's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for their achievements in the month of January, include Colin Lillie (men's track and field), Ryder Downey (wrestling), Amelia Hill (women's track and field), and Nikki Walters (swimming and diving).
Colin Lillie - Men's Track and Field
Colin Lillie broke a 22-year-old UNI track and field record at the Meyo Classic in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:20.39. Lillie took third in the men's mile at the Hawkeye Invitational (4:13.63) and sixth in the men's 3,000-meter run at the Thane Baker Invitational (8:25.32).
Ryder Downey - Wrestling
Downey posted a 7-1 record in January, to improve to 15-3 overall on the season as he rattled off six straight wins, starting with a 3-0 sudden victory win over No. 7 LJ Araujo (Nebraska). He rose to as high as sixth in the national rankings at 165 pounds.
Amelia Hill - Women's Track and Field
Amelia Hill broke a 10-year-old UNI track and field record in the women's 5,000-meter run with an eighth-place finish at the Meyo Classic with a time of 16:38.92. Hill won the women's mile at the Hawkeye Invitational with a time of 4:55.27 and placed fifth in the women's 3,000-meter run at the Thane Baker Invitational (9:43.55).
Nikki Walters - Swimming and Diving
Walters finished the month of January ranked in the top ten in program history in the 100-yard butterfly, 200-yard butterfly, and 400-yard individual medley. She won the 100-yard butterfly (57.08) and took second in the 200-yard butterfly in duals against Iowa State and St. Thomas, and won the 100-yard butterfly (56.65) at the Coyote Invitational. Walters contributed to the winning 200-yard medley relay, along with two top-five individual finishes in a road dual at Illinois State.
UNI Athletics action can be followed all year long on social media on Facebook (UNI Athletics), X (@UNIAthletics) and on Instagram (@uniathletics). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
