SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The trophy case will soon feature yet another dazzling accolade for North Dakota track and field/cross country icon as Jadyn Keeler was honored as the 2025-26 Daktronics Summit League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, league officials announced on Thursday.
 
A recognition for outstanding academic and athletic achievement, attitude and leader through the 2025-26 academic year, it marks the second straight year that Keeler has earned this accolade. She previously claimed the distinction for the 2024-25 academic year and remains the second Fighting Hawk to ever been recognized, joining women's basketball player Julia Fleecs, who won the award in 2020-21.
 
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is the most prestigious accolade The Summit League bestows each year and is determined by a vote from the league's faculty athletic representatives.
 
One of the most decorated careers in North Dakota history came to a conclusion in the 2025-26 season as Keeler collected four All-America honors and three Athlete of the Year distinctions across cross country and indoor & outdoor track and field. She claimed the conference crown at the cross country championships before earning an individual bid to the national meet where she placed 26^th overall to reach USTFCCCA All-America status.
 
That was then followed up by Women's Track MVP of the Championship honors at the indoor conference meet and a Second Team All-America nod for taking 12^th overall in the 5000-meter run at the Indoor NCAA Championships. Another Women's Track MVP of the Championship honor followed during the outdoor season before Keeler made history by clinching a dual bid to the Outdoor NCAA Championships where she earned First Team All-America honors for taking sixth in the 10,000-meter run and Second Team honors for finishing 12^th in the 5000-meter run.
 
In the classroom, Keeler completed her degree in Molecular and Integrative Biology while maintaining a grade point average of 3.974. She has won numerous academic awards and accolades during her final season including Summit League Academic Honor Roll, Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence, Summit League Cross Country All-Academic, Summit League Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic, CSC Academic All-District and, most recently, CSC Division I First Team Academic All-American.
 
The Barrie, Canada-native has also gained hands-on experience in the medical field, working with researchers at the University of North Dakota Medical School and specific cellular processes.
 
Beyond the classroom and track, Keeler has been active throughout the greater Grand Forks community, accruing dozens of volunteer hours through a variety of events and programs. Those activities include the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's annual food drive, campus clean-up, Halloween Bash, Holiday Bell Ringing and various other service projects.

Also nominated for Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year:  Savanna Berry, Denver // Alanie Rivera, Kansas City // Avery Koenen, North Dakota State // Emily Karmazin, Omaha // Jalie Oglesby, Oral Roberts // Olivia Keller, St. Thomas // Marleen Mülla, South Dakota // McKenzie Mages, South Dakota State
 
For updates and information on North Dakota track and field/cross country, follow on social media @UNDtrackfieldXC or visit FightingHawks.com.