KOKOMO, Ind. – The Indiana University Kokomo men's and women's track and field programs continue to add to an unforgettable 2026 season, earning multiple academic honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their success in the classroom and in competition.
Highlighting the list of accolades, Sydney Duncan was named the 2026 NAIA Women's Outdoor Track & Field National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year. In addition, both the Cougar men's and women's track and field programs earned USTFCCCA NAIA All-Academic Team honors, while four members of the men's program were recognized as USTFCCCA NAIA All-Academic Athletes for their accomplishments during the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.
Duncan continued to cement her place among the greatest student-athletes in IU Kokomo history after delivering one of the nation's most dominant seasons. During the indoor campaign, the junior captured another national championship in the shot put while earning All-American honors with a fifth-place finish in the weight throw. She followed that performance with a historic outdoor season, claiming national titles in the shot put, discus throw, and hammer throw while scoring 30 team points to lead the Cougar women to a program-best fourth-place finish at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships. Duncan's selection as the 2026 NAIA Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year caps a remarkable year in which she excelled both academically and athletically on the national stage.
The USTFCCCA also honored both the IU Kokomo men's and women's track and field programs as NAIA All-Academic Teams, recognizing each program's commitment to academic excellence throughout the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.
Four members of the Cougar men's program also earned USTFCCCA NAIA All-Academic Athlete honors for their accomplishments both in competition and in the classroom.
IU Kokomo Men's USTFCCCA NAIA All-Academic Athletes
The academic honors cap another historic year for the Cougar track and field programs. The women's squad recorded the highest national finish in program history with a fourth-place showing at the NAIA Outdoor Championships, while the men's team posted its best-ever finish at the River States Conference Outdoor Championships with a runner-up finish, all while excelling at a high level in the classroom.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
