University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Athletics celebrates March Student-Athletes of the Month
3/17/2026 11:16:00 AM | General
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI Athletics is proud to honor four outstanding student-athletes with Athlete of the Month awards for March 2026.
The award recipients, voted on by members of UNI's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for their achievements in the month of February, include Will Hornseth (men's basketball), Tye Hardin (men's track and field), Avery Hogan (swimming and diving), and Skylar Benesh (softball).
Will Hornseth – Men's Basketball
Will Hornseth averaged 14.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in February, helping UNI to a 4-3 record during the month. Hornseth shot 62.7% from the field and scored in double figures in all seven games while also pulling down a career-high nine rebounds against Bradley and Illinois State.
Tye Hardin – Men's Track and Field
Tye Hardin won the heptathlon title at Nebraska's Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational, scoring a career-high 5,276 points. Hardin also set new career-best marks in three events during the heptathlon competition.
Avery Hogan – Swimming & Diving
Avery Hogan captured the MVC three-meter diving title with a career-best score of 282.25 at the conference championships. Hogan also placed second in the one-meter diving competition with a score of 285.40 and was named the MVC Diver of the Year.
Skylar Benesh – Softball
Skylar Benesh leads UNI with a .444 batting average, 24 hits, and seven home runs while scoring 20 runs, stealing five bases, and driving in 11 runs. Benesh ranks 26th nationally and second in the MVC with 0.44 home runs per game and is also second in the Valley with 1.25 runs per game and 48 total bases.
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.
