NEW ORLEANS – The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association has announced it's 2026 All-Academic Teams and Athletes. The Trine University men's and women's track and field teams each earned the team award and six members of the women's team claimed individual honors.
 
To earn the team award, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.1 or higher for the academic year. 169 men's teams earned the award this season. The Thunder men earned a team GPA of 3.44, the 45^th highest in the country, and the best in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Like the men, the women's team also topped the MIAA in the classroom with a 3.71 GPA. The Thunder women ranked 19^th nationally in team GPA and were atop the Great Lakes Region.
 
In addition to the team award, the Thunder saw six women honored as All-Academic Athletes. Olivia Andrews (Mechanical Engineering), Hannah Flores Ness (Exercise Science), Chloe Goodrich (Elementary Education), Brooklyn Kerry (Communication), Bailey Puckett (Exercise Science), and Eleanor Young (Physical Therapy) earned the award. Puckett earned the award for the third consecutive year, and Young for the second consecutive year.
 
Athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher and rank inside the top 50 nationally in an individual event.