University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Panther track & field recognized with 11 USTFCCCA Academic All-Americans
7/20/2026 2:00:00 PM | Track and Field
UNI men and women also earn All-Academic Team status.
NEW ORLEANS --- Eleven 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 on Monday with the release of the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's (USTFCCCA) 2025-26 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 3.63 this season, while UNI's men's team posted a 3.32 cumulative GPA.
Panthers who earned individual Academic All-American nods include Tinashe Chigudu, Amelia Hill, Jersey Jones, Spencer Kessel, Carson Lienau, Luke Meyers, Justin Olson, David Russell, Katy Stephens, Darci Wiseman and Derek Woods.
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.
