NEW ORLEANS – The United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced their All-Academic team and athlete awards last week, with seven Chadron State track and field student-athletes and both the men's and women's track and field earning recognition from the organization. 

Five men's track and field student-athletes – Chayton Bynes, Ayden Hartzell, Esosa Iyengunmwena, Joshua St. Jean and Courtney Williams – earned a place on the 2026 NCAA Division II Men's Track & Field All-Academic Athletes list, along with two women's student-athletes – Shelby Ekwall and Camila Salvucci. 

To be eligible for the All-Academic Athlete individual honor, a student-athlete must have a 3.25 or higher cumulative GPA and be ranked within the nation's top 50 in an individual event, or top 35 of a relay team.

In addition, both Chadron State programs received mention on the list of USTFCCA Division II All-Academic teams for having at least a 3.0 team cumulative GPA. The women's team excelled with a 3.65 total GPA, while the men's team comfortably cleared the threshold with a 3.26 team mark.