Northern Michigan University’s Skylar Grubb, front, runs ahead of a competitor at a college track and field meet held at Grand Valley State in Allendale during the 2024-25 season. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — The women’s track and field team at Northern Michigan University has been named a 2025 All-Academic Team by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

And three Wildcat seniors have earned individual academic recognition, too.

To earn the team award, its cumulative team grade-point average had to be at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, and NMU’s was at a sterling 3.44 GPA as the Wildcats’ team has earned this honor in each of head coach Jenny Ryan’s 11 years at the helm.

Northern’s trio of seniors earning NCAA Division II All-Academic Athlete honors were Skylar Grubb, a zoology major from downstate Highland; Ahna Larson, a biology major from Gladstone; and Ellyse Wolfrath, a nursing major from Hortonville, Wisconsin.

There are a few more criteria for athletes to meet to earn the individual award.

They include a cumulative 3.25 GPA through the end of the semester of competition, be academically eligible for the NCAA Championships, and for transfer or graduate students, only use grades earned at their current institution.

The student-athlete has to have participated at the indoor or outdoor nationals in an individual or relay event, or finish among the top 50 in individual events as listed by the Track & Field Results Reporting System website, or be on one of the top 35 relay teams by TFRRS.

A lengthy list of individuals honored in Division II include several from other GLIAC schools — 26 from Grand Valley State, 10 from Wayne State, four from Wisconsin-Parkside and three from Saginaw Valley State.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the honors. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.