The Youngstown State men's and women's track and field programs earned Division I All-Academic Team honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for the 2025-26 academic year.
The men's team posted a 3.41 cumulative GPA, while the women's team recorded a 3.52 GPA.
In addition, five Penguins earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete honors. Jaden Kirkwood, Lukas Lang, Sage Vavro, Kaitlyn Eger and Ainsley Hamsher were recognized for their achievements in the classroom and in competition.
Kirkwood, a finance major with a 3.75 cumulative GPA, swept the shot put titles at the Horizon League Indoor and Outdoor Championships this past season. He also ranks among the top 10 in program history in the event.
Lang and Vavro both represented Youngstown State at the 2026 NCAA East First Round. Lang, who owns a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA while majoring in computer science information systems, claimed Horizon League indoor and outdoor pole vault championships. He also vaulted 5.21 meters during the outdoor season, moving into the top five in program history.
Vavro advanced to the NCAA East First Round for the second consecutive season and broke his own school record in the 3000-meter steeplechase. He also captured the Horizon League outdoor title in the event. A social studies education major, Vavro carries a 3.33 cumulative GPA.
Eger, an exercise science major with a 3.84 cumulative GPA, made her NCAA East First Round debut this season. Her outdoor-best clearance of 4.07 meters ranks fourth in school history.
Hamsher concluded her Penguin career by winning the Horizon League indoor pole vault championship. During the outdoor season, she cleared a team-best 4.13 meters to qualify for the NCAA East First Round. A biology major, Hamsher owns a 3.90 cumulative GPA.
To earn USTFCCCA All-Academic Team recognition, a program must post a cumulative team GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period.
To be eligible for USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete honors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, and have completed at least two semesters or three quarters at their institution.
For indoor track and field, student-athletes must have finished the season ranked among the top 96 nationally in an individual championship event or among the top 48 in a championship relay, as reflected on the final TFRRS performance lists.
For outdoor track and field, student-athletes must have competed in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships or finished the season ranked among the top 48 in either the East or West region on the NCAA Division I descending order list.
