SEARCY – Eleven members of the Harding University men's track and field team have earned All-Academic Athlete honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their outstanding performance both in competition and in the classroom during the recent season.

To qualify for the prestigious individual award, student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale through the end of the semester of competition. Additionally, they must have either finished among the top 50 individuals on the TFRRS descending order lists in their respective events, competed at the NCAA Indoor or Outdoor National Championships, or been a member of a top-35 ranked relay team (or participated in a relay at the national championships).

The 11 Harding Bisons recognized for their academic and athletic achievements are:

• Hayes Cox (Kinesiology & Health Education) – 3.44 GPA, No. 22 in Outdoor 4x100 relay

• Christian Erkert (Management) – 3.25 GPA, No. 50 in Javelin

• Casen Hammitt (Strength and Conditioning) – 3.37 GPA, No. 19 in Javelin

• Spencer Helms (Exercise Science) – 3.65 GPA, No. 14 in Discus

• Anton Kopytko (Kinesiology & Sport Administration) – 3.90 GPA, No. 7 in Outdoor Long Jump

• Vlad Malykhin (Kinesiology & Sport Administration) – 3.62 GPA, Indoor and Outdoor Pole Vault National Champion

• Donald Nwamere (Information Systems) – 3.56 GPA, No. 22 in Outdoor 4x100 relay

• Caledon Ruwende (Civil Engineering) – 4.00 GPA, No. 19 in Outdoor 200 meters

• Derick St. Jean (Management and Business Ethics) – 3.67 GPA, No. 35 in Indoor 400 meters

• Lukas Stiper (Teaching English as a 2nd Language) – 3.58 GPA, No. 14 in Discus

• Luke Walling (Kinesiology & Health Education) – 3.34 GPA, No. 45 in Outdoor 10,000 meters

Notably, Vlad Malykhin was named the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Indoor Track & Field National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year. Malykhin, who maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.62, further distinguished himself by winning the pole vault at the 2025 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships.

In addition to the individual honors, the Harding men's track and field team earned the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, boasting a cumulative team GPA of 3.19. To qualify for this team distinction, programs must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

About the USTFCCCA All-Academic Awards: The USTFCCCA annually recognizes NCAA Division I, II, and III student-athletes and teams for their academic achievements in collegiate cross country and track & field. These awards highlight the commitment of student-athletes to excellence in both their athletic endeavors and academic pursuits.