Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Senior base/tumbler Sydney Jundt represented Kutztown University acrobatics and tumbling on the All-Mountain East Conference Second Team. The all-conference teams and major award winners were recently announced by the MEC office. Jundt picks up her second career all-conference nod after being selected All-MEC First Team in 2025. The Rochester Hills, Mich., native was a constant on the mat for the Golden Bears, competing in one or more heats in every event. She contributed to numerous season-high heat scores for Kutztown throughout the season. Jundt helped Kutztown qualify for the MEC semifinals in each of her two seasons with the program after transferring from Trine University. She was part of the Bears' victorious acro 6-element squad at the 2025 MEC Event Finals. Jundt is the first two-time all-conference selection for the Maroon and Gold. Kutztown joined the MEC as an associate member prior to the 2025 season after competing independently during its first three seasons (2022-24) of existence.

The Kutztown University athletics department recognized 48 student-athletes Tuesday, April 14, as a part of a new class of the Pennsylvania Alpha Omega Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma in the National College Athlete Honor Society. The luncheon recognized those student-athletes who excel in both the classroom and competition. Chi Alpha Sigma was founded in 1996 by then DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis. His goal was to provide outstanding student-athletes with an opportunity to become connected within a fraternal association that aligns their educational and athletic successes for a lifetime. In order to be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA, USCAA or NCCAA. The honoree also must achieve at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter, as determined by the certifying institution, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).

Kutztown University women's swimming saw a quartet earn spots on the 2026 Division II College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. The 2025-26 Academic All-District Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in the pool and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. The four Golden Bears include Phoebe Armes (Somerset, UK/Millfield School), Jena LaTorres (Allentown, Pa./William Allen), Tatum Rothermel (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) and Camryn Sedora (Chester, Md./Kent Island). Armes is a sophomore geography major with a 3.91 GPA. LaTorres is a senior majoring in criminal justice and has a 3.56 GPA. Rothermel is a senior sport management major sporting a 3.85 GPA. Sedora is a junior psychology major with a 3.83 GPA. The Academic All-District Team is coordinated by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). For more information about the CSC's Academic All-District and Academic All-America Team program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

Kutztown University men's swimming received four members to the 2026 Division II College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. The 2025-26 Academic All-District Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in the pool and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. The four Golden Bears include Matheson Bair (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain), Theo Miksa (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East), RJ Otten (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) and Nigel Pizzo (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North). Bair is a sophomore geography major with a 3.59 GPA. Miksa is a sophomore majoring in business administration with a focus in finance/supple chain management and has a 3.96 GPA. Otten is a sophomore marine science major sporting a 3.70 GPA. Pizzo is a sophomore majoring in business administration with a focus in finance and has a perfect 4.0 GPA. The Academic All-District Team is coordinated by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). For more information about the CSC's Academic All-District and Academic All-America Team program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

After the National Tenpin Coaches Association announced its All-Rookie Teams earlier Thursday, April 9, freshman phenom Madilyn Bogovic was recognized by the organization as the Division II Rookie of the Year and a Second Team All-American. Bogovic won the honors after leading all DII competition in baker double percentage (57.0 percent), strike percentage (54.6 percent), traditional frame average (21.1 pins) and baker frame average (21.25 pins). The DII honor is the top rookie recognition for a first-year bowler at the Division II level, while the All-American honor includes all of the nation's bowlers, regardless of division. Bogovic's individual accomplishments in her first collegiate season were only rivaled by the top bowlers on the nation's highest-ranked teams. The Player Composite Performance Index, a scale developed by the NTCA that combines both traditional and baker numbers while measuring fill, strike, and overall conversion rate, placed Bogovic 12th among all bowlers and tops among Division II or III counterparts. Her performance throughout the season kept the Golden Bears in the national rankings throughout the season and lifted the team to a 57-31 season and a third-place finish at the East Coast Conference Championships in late March. The Cedar Cliff High School Product becomes the seventh Kutztown kegler to achieve All-America status, which has now been reached for the 10th time overall and in back-to-back seasons for the third time in program history, following Chloe Sromovski's honorable mention recognition in 2025. Bogovic also becomes the third Kutztown bowler to earn Division II Rookie of the Year honors, after two other Golden Bear bowlers, Kayla Stamm (2008) and Kayla Jones (2009) collected the honor in back-to-back seasons nearly two decades ago. Bogovic is set to return to the Golden Bears squad next season with a core of young bowlers, including Kamryn Brenneman, a Second Team All-ECC selection this past season, and fellow ECC All-Rookie Team member Isabella Hopper. She will look to build on her efforts in the 2026-27 campaign as she sets her eyes on the possibility of becoming the Golden Bears' ninth All-American and picking up the honors for just the second time since 2014.

PSAC champion and national semifinalist Kutztown University football had seven members announced to the Hampshire Honor Society by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in recognition of their academic achievements. In order to be named to the Hampshire Honor Society, a student-athlete must have completed their final year of eligibility in the fall or must have already earned an undergraduate degree, must own a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.20 or above and must have been a starter or significant contributor during the 2025 season. The seven Golden Bears include wide receiver Trevor Amorim (Slatington, Pa./Northern Lehigh), tight end Gino Campagna (San Diego, Calif./Saint Augustine), offensive lineman Patrick Fulginiti (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), linebacker Brandon Hile (Winfield, Pa./Selinsgrove), running back Ben Martin III (Middletown, Del./Middletown), specialist Nate Millard (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone) and defensive lineman Brayden Pohlman (Egg Harbor Township, N.J./Mainland Regional). Fulginiti and Hile also earned CSC Academic All-District honors back in January with a 3.68 GPA and 3.58 GPA, respectively. Hile, the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, also became a CSC Academic All-American. The Hampshire Honor Society recognized a record total of 2,596 players from 365 colleges and universities at all levels of college football on the 2026 team. Kutztown finished the 2025 season 14-1 overall, a program-record for wins in a season, winning its third consecutive PSAC title and second Super Region I championship in the last three seasons.

The Department of Sport Management announced its senior award winners who will be recognized at the College of Business Commencement Banquet Friday, May 8. - Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: Marisa Bragg of Ringoes, N.J. - Outstanding Achievement in Sport Management Award: Andrew Batista of Macungie, Pa. - Outstanding Coaching/Fitness Award: Sydney Gibbons of Cresson, Pa. - Outstanding Research Award: Andrew Batista of Macungie, Pa. - Outstanding Service Award: Bryan Pensyl of Easton, Pa. - Outstanding Leadership Award: Rowan Hall of Sloatsburg, N.Y. - Outstanding Intern Award: Haley Sullick of Mountain Top, Pa. - Outstanding Sport Management Club Service Award: Braden Neeson of Scranton, Pa. COSMA Chi Sigma Mu Honors Society: - Ben Angstadt of Biglerville, Pa. - Andrew Batista of Macungie, Pa. - Sydney Gibbons of Cresson, Pa. - Rowan Hall of Sloatsburg, N.Y. - Jordyn Osner of Broomall, Pa. - Judd Novak of Manheim, Pa. - Tatum Rothermel of Halifax, Pa. - Kevin Schwartz of Doylestown, Pa. - Nicholas Varda of Doylestown, Pa. - Maddie Walsh of York, Pa.

Andrew Szeplaki had a breakout first season for the Kutztown University track and field team during the winter and finished it off on a high note, being voted the 2025-26 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men's Indoor Track and Field Freshman of the Year. Szeplaki recently finished ninth in the pole vault at the NCAA Championship earning Second Team All-America honors. He was also the PSAC champion in this event and broke the all-time PSAC indoor pole vault record with a jump of 17-4.5. Szeplaki earned All-Region honors and had the highest jump in Division II for a freshman. He joins 1987 National Champion Mike Cantrel, Schmitt (2000, 2001), Will Hodges (2010), Lanny Buck (2015), Xavier Feliciano (2019) and Joe Jardine (2024) as the Golden Bears to earn indoor pole vault All-America status. Along with Szeplaki also earning All-PSAC First Team status, Michael Fellin joined him on First Team in the 60m. James Washburn (400m), Adam Brocato (mile), Robby Lloyd (5000m) and Jaydon Witman (60H) all earned Third Team recognition.

Kutztown University placed nine student-athletes on the winter edition of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Academic All-Conference teams. The Academic All-PSAC teams are a new initiative for the 2025-26 season and were created to increase academic recognition for high-achieving student-athletes. Honorees are announced after the fall, winter and spring seasons. Undergraduate and graduate student-athletes are eligible for recognition, given they meet both academic and athletic standards set by the conference. Academically, a student-athlete must have a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and complete two seasons of eligibility at the nominating campus and four semesters academically. Student-athletes achieving the academic criteria must have also played in at least 70 percent of their team's games to qualify in team sports (men's and women's basketball). Wrestlers must have been in the starting lineups for 70 percent of the team's scoring events, while swimmers must have achieved at least a PSAC qualifying standard time in an individual, non-relay event. The PSAC recognized 121 student-athletes across all 17 conference institutions. Kutztown's nine honorees place it in the top half of the conference and tied for third best among PSAC East institutions. Fellow East Division schools East Stroudsburg (13) and Shippensburg (12) only trail Clarion (14) from the PSAC West among the most recognized student athletes. Kutztown had four representatives from wrestling, three from women's basketball, and a pair from the women's swimming team. A full list of Kutztown's Academic All-PSAC honorees from the 2025-26 winter season is below. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL (3) Taylor Gurysh Leila Hurley Olivia Smelas WRESTLING (4) Bailey Gimbor Dalton Gimbor Hunter Horton Wayne McIntyre WOMEN'S SWIMMING (2) Tatum Rothermel Camryn Sedora

Josh McKoy of the Kutztown University men's basketball team has been named to the 2025-26 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. McKoy, a sophomore criminal justice major from Reading, Pa., made 17 starts and appeared in all 26 games for the Golden Bears this past season. He averaged career-highs of 5.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Academically, McKoy carried a 3.69 cumulative grade point average at the time of his nomination. The CSC Academic All-District Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. To be eligible for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must have a 3.50 cumulative GPA or higher and be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. In the sport of basketball, student-athletes must have played in 90% or started 66% of their team's games.

Leila Hurley, Olivia Smelas, Taylor Gurysh and Ariana Smuda of the Kutztown University women's basketball team were selected to the 2025-26 College Sport Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team for their successes on the court and in the classroom. It is the second honor for Hurley and first for Smelas, Gurysh and Smuda. The 2025-26 Academic All-District Women's Basketball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Divisions II and III Academic All-America programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America program is partially financially supported through the NAIA governance structure. Hurley is a senior guard majoring in elementary education with a 3.88 GPA. Smelas is a senior center majoring in business administration with a concentration in accounting/management. Gurysh is a junior guard and sport management major, sporting a 3.72 GPA. Smuda is a junior center majoring in communication studies with a 3.93 GPA.

Senior center Olivia Smelas (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) was voted to the All-PSAC East First Team, while classmate and senior guard Danae Ellzy (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) earned All-PSAC East Second Team honors. It is the second All-PSAC recognition for Smelas, who was tabbed to the Second Team her sophomore campaign, and it's the first postseason accolade for Ellzy. Smelas started all 29 games this season. She averaged 6.5 points per game and a team-best 9.4 rebounds per game, while adding 31 blocks and career-highs of 77 assists and 78 steals. Her 78 steals ranked second in the conference and she was ninth in blocks. Smelas finished her career with 823 career rebounds, which is fourth-best all-time in program history. Her 183 steals ranks seventh in program lore and her 114 blocks is also in the top-10 at 10th. In her first season in Maroon and Gold after three previous seasons at Mansfield, Ellzy played in 28-of-29 games this season, starting in seven, and was a welcomed addition to the team. She led the team in scoring with 9.9 ppg, shooting 37% (94-for-254) from the floor and averaged 3.1 rpg. Ellzy added 39 assists and 32 steals on the year.

The 25th-ranked Kutztown University women's bowling team placed four student-athletes on the All-East Coast Conference Teams, headlined by ECC Rookie of the Year and All-ECC First Team bowler Madilyn Bogovic (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff). Joining Bogovic on the All-ECC squads is sophomore Kamryn Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York), who was named an All-ECC Second Team bowler, and the duo of Isabella Hopper (Mifflinville, Pa./Berwick) and Sydney Snyder (Morrisville, Pa./Conwell-Egan Catholic), who each claimed a spot on the Third Team. Bogovic, who jumped on the KU bowling train after a Rookie of the Year season for the Golden Bears' volleyball team, came out firing on all cylinders as the team's anchor for the second half of the season. The Mechanicsburg, Pa., native's stat sheet can be rivaled with the nation's top NCAA bowlers. In traditional play, the rookie averaged 21.11 pins per frame, filling 87.5 percent of frames while striking on 55 percent of opportunities and converting on 72.2 percent of spares. She elevated her game in baker play, toppling 21.25 pins per frame on an 87.6 percent fill clip, striking on 54.4 percent of opportunities while converting 72.7 percent of spares. The recognition the Cedar Cliff High School product earned rewrote record books. She earned all five possible rookie of the week honors, as well as a bowler of the week recognition for her performance at the Griffin Baker Classic. Her stretch of five straight ECC top rookie bowler honors was a conference record, and her five total recognitions put her one behind teammate Kamryn Brenneman's (York, Pa./Central York) six such total honors earned in her 2025 Rookie of the Year campaign a season ago. Notably, Bogovic's recognition as the Rookie of the Year in both volleyball and bowling is the only known occurrence of a Division II dual sport athlete earning top conference rookie honors in the same season. Brenneman built a power tandem with Bogovic on her way to a Second Team recognition, continuing to add onto her resume after her Rookie of the Year and All-ECC First Team performance from a season ago. Her strong season was highlighted by a baker average of 19.39 pins per frame on an 81.9 percent fill mark, where she struck on 47 percent of attempts and converted nearly 66 percent of second-chance shots while bowling from the fourth and fifth spots in the lineup throughout the year. In team competition, she bowled just shy of a 19-pin average per frame on a 79.2 fill rate, striking 44 percent of the time while converting spares at a 62.9 percent clip. Hopper had a stellar rookie season in the Maroon and Gold, as her Third Team honor is highlighted by baker statistics that place her among the top rookies in the conference. She achieved an 18.93 average per frame on a 78.3 percent fill rate, while boasting a near-70 percent success rate on first-ball shots and topping nearly half of her strike attempts. She was also a key contributor in traditional play throughout the season, filling 70.5 percent of frames while averaging 17.43 pins, including an 8.71 first ball mark on the season. Snyder joined her rookie teammate on the Third Team, making her first appearance on an All-Conference team in her fourth season at KU. The Morrisville, Pa., native had strong numbers in baker play, including an 18.39 average that filled 79 percent of frames, where she also converted nearly two-thirds of her spare shots. Her team play numbers also ranked among the best on the team, as she averaged 17.13 pins per frame while filling 73 percent of frames and securing a 61.6 percent first-ball success rate. The four honorees from the 2025-26 team match the same number from last season, while only Brenneman is a repeat award winner. The number continues to show the recruiting success of sixth year head coach Angela Reynolds, who has coached eight bowlers to a combined 12 All-Conference honors. The Golden Bears (56-29 overall), who held its spot in the March edition of the National Tenpin Coaches Association polls on Monday, gear up for the East Coast Conference Women's Bowling Championship this upcoming weekend, at Hackensack, N.J.'s Bowler City Lanes, with competition between conference foes beginning Friday, March 20, and running through Sunday, March 22.

Senior Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown), the nation's fifth-ranked 285-pound wrestler and the lone remaining competing member of the 21st-ranked Kutztown University wrestling team at the NCAA DII National Championships, concluded his season with a fifth-place performance Saturday, March 14, at the Danny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Quakertown, Pa., native dominated his consolation quarterfinal opponent to open the day, collecting an 11-2, major decision victory to secure at least a sixth-place finish. Retter ran into third-ranked Zach Glazler of St. Cloud State in the consolation semis, and despite dropping a 4-0 decision, was able to recover and finish against No. 16 James Bankston of UNC Pembroke with an 8-1 victory in his final competition of the season. This marks Retter's second wrestling All-American honor of his career, as he finished fifth place a season ago after reaching the semifinal round of the championship bracket in the 2025 edition of the tournament. The team finished 20th overall on the national stage, the fourth time in five seasons since the pandemic-cancelled 2020-21 season that KU has finished inside the top 20. Nebraska-Kearney (83 pts.) repeated as national champions, while Wisconsin Parkside (78 pts.) and Central Oklahoma (76.5 pts.) followed closely behind. Conference foe Gannon, who entered the tournament as the nation's top team, finished ninth (45.5 pts.), while national power Pitt-Johnstown placed 13th with 37 pts. Saturday's competition marked the end of the road for 25-year head coach Robert Fisher, Kutztown wrestling's all-time winningest coach. He has directed all but a handful of Kutztown's All-American grapplers and has coached three grapplers to five individual championships. His teams never slowed down at the end of his career, as each of the past two seasons has featured a program-record six individuals representing the Golden Bears on the national stage. Coach Fisher ends his career with a 258-116-2 dual record, winning a program-best 68.6 percent of his duals during his time leading the Maroon and Gold. With Fisher's departure and a number of upperclassmen moving on at season's end, the Golden Bears hope to rely on strong returning student-athletes, a robust recruiting class and a solid head coach to continue the success it has experienced under its legendary coach.

Michael Fellin (Sheppton, Pa./Marian Catholic) placed 11th overall in the 60m and Andrew Szeplaki (Bath, Pa./Northampton) finished ninth in the pole vault as both Golden Bears earned Second Team All-America status Friday, March 13, at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Fellin receives second team honors for the second straight year, placing 12th overall also with a 6.72 at last year's NCAA Championships. He finished third in the second of three heats out of 18 total competitors. Fellin is the lone Golden Bear in program history to be an All-American in the 60m, now back-to-back. It is the first NCAA postseason honor for Szeplaki, who joins 1987 National Champion Mike Cantrel, Schmitt (2000, 2001), Will Hodges (2010), Lanny Buck (2015), Xavier Feliciano (2019) and Joe Jardine (2024) as the Golden Bears to earn indoor pole vault All-American status. Jardine previously held the program record of 5.14m (16-10.25) before Szeplaki outdid it this season with his 5.30m (17-4.5). The freshman cleared 4.86m (15-11.25) and 5.01m (16-5.25) in his first attempt and then cleared the 5.16m (16-11) on his third try. Vlad Malykin of Harding won his third consecutive national title in the pole vault. The 60m final eight will compete for the title on Saturday. The outdoor season kicks off for Kutztown next Saturday, March 21, at the Keystone Challenge, hosted by Shippensburg University.

Four Kutztown University indoor track and field student-athletes earned 2025-26 NCAA Division II U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Atlantic Region honors. On the men's side, Michael Fellin (Sheppton, Pa./Marian Catholic) (60m) and Andrew Szeplaki (Bath, Pa./Northampton) (pole vault) received the recognition, and on the women's side, Taylor Funk (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) (pole vault) and Jensen Kraft (Nutley, N.J./Saint Mary) (mile) were honored. Fellin and Szeplaki were PSAC champions in their respective events, while Funk and Kraft both finished All-PSAC with third place finishes in there's at the PSAC Indoor Championships on Feb. 28, and March 1. The top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region distinction, in addition to each member of the region's top-3 relay teams. The regions used for this award - Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West - match those used during the cross country season. Fellin and Szeplaki both will be competing in the 2025-26 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach this weekend.

After the 2025-26 regular season campaign concluded, the coaches of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference named fifth-year guard Jalen Bryant (Edgewood, Md./John Carroll) and senior forward Jordan Nkoa Abessolo (Yaounde, Cameroon/St. Maria Goretti (Md.)) of the Kutztown University men's basketball team to the All-PSAC East Second Team. Both student-athletes put up strong numbers as a tandem on the year, creating big-time performances that earned them spots in the program's all-time record books at season's end. Nkoa Abessolo put in the work this past offseason, something that paid dividends on the court in many big games throughout the season. He nearly recorded a double-double average on the season, posting 14.4 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game, the latter mark ranking third in the conference. The Cameroon native reached double figures in points and rebounds in half of Kutztown's victories, including a season high 20 points in the win over Cheyney and a pair of 15-rebound games in wins over Cheyney and Frostburg State. The second year Golden Bear broke through on the All-Conference list after boosting his scoring and rebounding numbers from a season ago. His presence under the basket remained one of the constants for the Maroon and Gold men's squad in the midst of significant change throughout the season. Bryant made his third appearance on the Second Team after earning the honor for his performance in the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons. His innate ability to draw fouls and execute from the charity stripe in clutch situations has been noted by coaches across the league, as his name is referenced across Kutztown's free-throw shooting record books. The guard averaged a team-best 16.2 points per game (13th in the PSAC) and turned in a career-best 88 percent free-throw mark on the year while playing just over 34 minutes a game. The Edgewood, Md., native finishes his career fourth all-time in career points with 1,759, second all-time in made free throws (536), third all-time in free throw percentage (87.3 percent), and sixth all-time in total three-point field goals (183). The guard also holds places across the game and season record books for his scoring and free-throw shooting achievements during his tenure with the team. With the futures of both players in the air after Bryant completed his fifth season and Nkoa Abessolo finished off his fourth campaign, the 2025-26 edition of the Golden Bears will have some big shoes to fill as it looks to bounce back from a challenging season and look ahead towards returning to the postseason for the first time since 2019.

Kutztown University will have 30 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2026 season. The 2026 campaign opens with a non-conference doubleheader against Slippery Rock at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., Friday, Feb. 21. The Golden Bears return home to face Lincoln (Pa.) in a doubleheader Wednesday, March 4, North Campus Field. The season concludes with the PSAC Championship at Jack Critchfield Park in Slippery Rock, Pa., May 6-9. Learn more at www.kubears.com.

Kutztown University will have 22 student-athletes representing its women's acrobatics and tumbling program for the 2026 season. Learn more about KU acrobatics and tumbling online.

Kutztown University field hockey set a new record with 10 Golden Bears earning National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II Scholars of Distinction for 2025. The 10 members of KU include Marlee Fetrow (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone), Kiera Gallagher (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown), Olivia Kirkpatrick (Annville, Pa./Palmyra), Emma Koehler (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor), Katie Lawless (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley), Lorelai Lehenky (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville), Jordan Stroup (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood), Jade Traynor (Pennsburg, Pa. Upper Perkiomen), Bella Thompson (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) and Taylor Vaccaro (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley). Fetrow, Gallagher, Lawless, Lehenky and Stroup all are multi-year scholars of distinction, all having been named last year as well. This NFHCA award program recognizes exceptional undergraduate student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher through the fall semester and were nominated by their NFHCA member coaches. The NFHCA recognized 144 outstanding undergraduate student-athletes overall as 2025 Division II Scholars of Distinction.

Kutztown University will have 31 student-athletes representing its women's lacrosse program for the 2026 season. Read the full season preview. Under head coach Kristen Nicholson, the Kutztown University women's lacrosse program has undergone a complete transformation. In just four seasons, the Golden Bears have produced the most winning seasons in program history, reached the PSAC Championship game for the first time in 40 years, earned back-to-back NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, and cracked the IWLCA national rankings for the first time ever. Now entering her fifth year at the helm, Nicholson and the No. 20 Golden Bears are intent on continuing that upward climb in 2026. "This is a determined, focused and hungry team heading into the 2026 season," Nicholson said. "We're building on past success with a strong core of returning players and some new faces ready to help us take the next step. We're excited to get back out there and compete." Kutztown finished the 2025 season ranked No. 23 nationally with a 9-8 overall record, including a 6-6 mark in PSAC play. Two of the Golden Bears' nine victories came against nationally ranked opponents, while seven were earned at Keystone Field. KU's strength of schedule was evident throughout the season, as six of its eight losses came against ranked competition. That challenge continues in 2026. The Golden Bears are slated to face five nationally ranked opponents this spring, including West Chester (No. 5), Pace (No. 7), East Stroudsburg (No. 13), Saint Anselm (No. 22) and Bentley (No. 23). Kutztown will also open the season against IUP, which received votes in the 2026 IWLCA Preseason Poll. Kutztown was picked third in the PSAC East Preseason Poll and No. 20 nationally in the IWLCA Poll. The Golden Bears open the 2026 regular season at home Saturday, Feb. 21, hosting PSAC West opponent IUP at Keystone Field. The opening draw is set for 2 p.m.

Kutztown University field hockey saw 20 members announced as National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic Squad members. The Division II National Academic Squad honors student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher through the first semester of the 2025-26 academic year and who were nominated by their coaching staff. 440 student-athletes from 34 Division II institutions have been named to the 2025 NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad. The NFHCA Scholars of Distinction will be unveiled Friday, Feb. 13, followed by the NFHCA National Academic Team awards Tuesday, Feb. 17, and culminating with the announcement of the National Scholar-Athlete Thursday, Feb. 19.

Kutztown University will have 24 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2026 season. Learn about KU softball online.

The Kutztown University men's and women's cross country teams earned All-Academic Team recognition by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, while seven Golden Bears received the individual honor. In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period and compile a team score at their respective regional championship meet, among other qualifiers. While student athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-30 percent of their respective regional championship meet, among other qualifiers. The women's team boasted a GPA of 3.35 and the men's squad held a GPA of 3.17. Lizzie Brown (Wallingford, Conn./Mark T. Sheehan), Sophia Knerr (Columbia, N.J./North Warren Regional), Maura Lenhart (Center Valley, Pa./Southern Lehigh), Adam Brocato (Reisterstown, Md./Calvert Hall), Port Habalar (Williamsport, Pa./South Williamsport), Robby Lloyd (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) and Peyton Small (Littlestown, Pa./Littlestown) each were named on the individual side. Kutztown's most recent team academic award is its third in a row and fourth in the last five seasons. This past fall, the KU men tied the program's best finish at PSAC Championships in third and had a program record five All-PSAC finishers in Brocato, Habalar, Lloyd, Small and Jack Hollar (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Pocono Mountain East). The Golden Bear women also had a top-five placing at PSACs in fifth, while Lenhart, Knerr and Gabby Keith (Reading, Pa./Exeter) earned All-PSAC honors. Deandra Young (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) also was tabbed All-Region at the regional race.

Brandon Hile (Winfield, Pa./Selinsgrove) and Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) of the Kutztown University football team were named to the College Sports Communicators NCAA Division II Academic All-America First Team. Hile, a native of Winfield, Pa., is a first-time Academic All-American. He is majoring in criminal justice and held a 3.58 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the time of his nomination. The senior linebacker was voted PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, D2CCA All-Super Region 1 First Team and received All-America honors from multiple organizations, including the AFCA (Second Team), Associated Press (Second Team) and D2CCA (Second Team). He was also a finalist for the Cliff Harris Division II Defensive Player of the Year Award, a D2Football.com Elite 100 pick and a Don Hansen Gazette All-America Honorable Mention choice. Hile finished the season with 66 tackles (37 solo), 3.0 sacks, 6.0 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble. Retter jumps up to the First Team at defensive line after garnering Academic All-America Second Team honors in 2024. He has a 3.92 GPA while pursuing a degree in elementary education. The redshirt junior from Quakertown, Pa., played limited snaps early in the season due to injury but was a force down the stretch as Kutztown advanced to the national semifinals for the second time in three seasons. Retter, the 2024 PSAC East and D2CCA Super Region 1 Defensive Player of the Year, finished with 25 tackles (15 solo), 8.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss, while forcing two fumbles, recovering a fumble and registering a safety. He was named All-PSAC East First Team and D2CCA All-Super Region 1 First Team for the second consecutive season. He received D2CCA All-America Second Team honors along with being a D2Football.com Elite 100 selection and Don Hansen Football Gazette All-America Honorable Mention pick. Hile and Retter helped Kutztown to its winningest season in program history with a 14-1 overall record. The Golden Bears won their third straight PSAC championship and the second NCAA DII Super Region 1 title in program history. Kutztown achieved its best-ever postseason ranking, finishing No. 3 in the AFCA DII Poll. Kutztown football has had 10 CSC (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-Americans since 1993. Retter is just the second Golden Bear football student-athlete to earn multiple Academic All-America awards, joining Alex Daecher (2000 and 2001).

Kutztown University football was well represented on the 2025 CSC Division II Academic All-District Team, as six Golden Bears earned a spot. The award recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performance on the field and in the classroom. Austin Leyman (Elmer, N.J./Woodstown), Patrick Fulginiti (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central), Brandon Hile (Winfield, Pa./Selinsgrove), Ty Kephart (Grantville, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) and Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) all recorded a 3.50 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) entering the fall semester while meeting the on-field requirements of competing in 90 percent of the institution's games or starting in at least 66 percent of the games. This is the second straight recognition for Leyman, Novak and Retter. Leyman is a senior linebacker from Elmer, N.J., who compiled a 3.69 GPA as a secondary education major, focusing on social studies. Fulginiti is a senior offensive lineman from Manahawkin, N.J., who boasted a 3.68 GPA in special education. Novak is a senior quarterback from Manheim, who recorded a 3.68 GPA in sport management. Hile is a senior linebacker from Winfield, who tallied a 3.58 GPA in criminal justice. Kephart is a sophomore linebacker from Grantville, who earned a 3.53 GPA in business administration and a concentration in management. Retter is a senior defensive end from Quakertown, who netted a 3.92 GPA in elementary education, focusing on math and science. Novak, Hile and Retter will advance into voting for Academic All-America, which will be announced Jan. 27. For more information about CSC's Academic All-District and Academic All-America Teams program, including the full list of requirements to be nominated and selected, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

2,269 students have been named to the Fall 2025 Dean's List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for the Dean's List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

Kutztown University placed 26 student-athletes on the inaugural Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Academic All-Conference teams. The Academic All-PSAC teams are a new initiative for 2025-26 and were created to increase academic recognition for high-achieving student-athletes. Teams will be released after the fall, winter and spring seasons. Undergraduate and graduate students must meet academic and athletic requirements to qualify. To be eligible for the Academic All-PSAC teams, student-athletes must have a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and complete two seasons of eligibility at the nominating campus and four semesters academically. Student-athletes achieving the academic criteria must have also played in at least 70 percent of their team's games to qualify in team sports (field hockey, football, soccer and volleyball). Cross country runners must have placed among the top seven for their team in at least three meets or finished in the top half of the field at the PSAC or Atlantic Region Championships to qualify. The PSAC recognized 343 student-athletes across all 17 conference institutions. Kutztown's 26 honorees were tied for the second-most among PSAC East schools with Bloomsburg and West Chester and tied for fourth overall behind East Stroudsburg (32), Slippery Rock (29) and Seton Hill (28). Kutztown had eight representatives from football, six from women's soccer, four from men's cross country and field hockey, and two each from women's cross country and women's volleyball. A full list of Kutztown's Fall 2025 Academic All-PSAC honorees is below. MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY Adam Brocato Port Habalar Jack Hollar Robby Lloyd WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY Sage Dunkleberger Sophia Knerr FIELD HOCKEY Paige Bucher Grace Harrold Marissa Rice Jessica Traynor FOOTBALL Dakota Campbell Patrick Fulginiti Brandon Hile Austin Leyman Weston Nolt Judd Novak Freddie Retter Wyatt Younes WOMEN'S SOCCER Maura Day Alyssa Galayda Skyler Jordan Caroline McDonald Mary Nangle Charlotte Rauch WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL Mallory Hoch Emma Stalsitz

Kutztown University women's volleyball was well represented on the Collegiate Sports Communicators (CSC) 2025 Academic All-District team, as senior Mallory Hoch and sophomores Emma Baldridge, Saige Thibodeaux and Grace White were announced as members of the squad. In order to be eligible for this award, student-athletes must possess at least a 3.50 GPA and must compete in 90 percent of the institution's matches or have started in at least 66 percent of the institution's matches. The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Divisions II and III Academic All-America programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America program is partially financially supported through the NAIA governance structure. This is the second honor for Hoch and first for Baldridge, Thibodeaux and White. Hoch is an elementary education major that boasts a 3.92 GPA. She finished her career in Maroon and Gold appearing in 83 matches and 289 sets, compiling 622 digs, 64 assists, 61 service aces and 12 kills. Baldridge is a business administration/accounting major with a 3.88 GPA. She has played in all of KU's 56 matches the last two seasons, starting every one. Her 998 assists this season was seventh-most all-time in program history in a season. Baldridge ranks ninth at KU with 1,327 assists. She also has 517 career digs. Thibodeaux is a sport management and holds a 3.76 GPA. She has appeared in 54 matches the past two seasons, including starting all 28 this season. Her 550 digs this season is fifth-most at KU in a season. Thibodeaux has 750 career digs and 409 career assists. White is a special education/visual impairment major with a 3.50 GPA. She has appeared in 54 matches the last two seasons, starting in all 28 this season. Through two seasons, White has amassed 308 kills, 141 blocks and 62 digs. For more information about CSC's Academic All-District and Academic All-America Teams program, including the full list of requirements to be nominated and selected, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

Brandon Hile and Ryan Schernecke captured three All-America honors apiece and five Kutztown University football student-athletes were recognized in total as the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) each announced their 2025 All-America teams. Hile, a senior linebacker, and Schernecke, a redshirt senior offensive tackle, were named All-America Second Team by all three organizations. Redshirt junior quarterback Judd Novak, redshirt senior offensive guard Billy Everitt and redshirt junior defensive end Freddie Retter captured D2CCA All-America Second Team spots. Hile, the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, was an All-PSAC East and D2CCA All-Super Region 1 First Team selection. The Winfield, Pa., native started all 15 games for the PSAC and SR1 champion Golden Bears, leading the team with 66 tackles (37 solo), while also chipping in 6.0 tackles for loss (TFL), 3.0 sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception. Hile produced 196 tackles (108 solo), 16.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks and five forced fumbles in 47 career games, helping KU to three straight conference titles and national semifinals appearances in 2023 and 2025. Schernecke, from Hatboro, Pa., was a national finalist and finished fifth in voting for the 2025 Gene Upshaw Award, presented to Division II's top lineman. Schernecke started all 15 games for the 14-1 Golden Bears, as KU ranked second in NCAA DII in passing efficiency (173.7), fourth in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.33), fifth in scoring offense (42.9 ppg), fifth in fewest sacks allowed (0.67) and 21st in total offense (432.8 ypg) through the national semifinals. He added one carry for a 2-yard TD. He was a three-time All-PSAC East selection with First Team honors in 2024 and 2025, and a two-time D2CCA All-SR1 pick, earning First Team recognition in 2025. Schernecke played in 48 career games, making 45 starts. Novak quarterbacked Kutztown to program single season records of 14 victories, 14 consecutive victories and 645 points scored. The Harlon Hill Trophy national finalist for DII Player of the Year completed 215-of-328 passes for 3,070 yards, 31 touchdowns and just one interception. He also rushed for 547 yards (6.9 yards per carry) and seven TDs. A native of Manheim, Pa., Novak was the PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Year to go along with All-PSAC East and D2CCA All-SR1 First Team honors. He led the PSAC and ranked top 10 in DII in passing efficiency (174.8), passing TDs and points responsible for (228), while also ranking second in the PSAC and 10th nationally in passing yards. Novak is a three-time All-PSAC East pick that has gone 37-4 as a starter since 2023. He ranks fourth in program history in passing TDs (72), fourth in passing yards (7,313) and fifth in completions (537). Kutztown has won three straight PSAC East and PSAC championships, and a pair of SR1 titles in the last three seasons with Novak behind center. Everitt joined Schernecke in anchoring Kutztown's powerful offensive line. The guard from Abington, Pa., was a constant for the Maroon and Gold, making 42 consecutive starts over the last three seasons. Everitt played in 50 games during his career, logging 43 starts, and is a three-time All-PSAC East selection (First Team: 2024, 2025; Second Team: 2023) and 2025 D2CCA All-SR1 First Team honoree. He helped KU lead the PSAC in scoring offense, rushing offense (218.9 ypg), fewest sacks allowed, team passing efficiency, first down offense and third down conversion percentage (53.4%). Retter battled through an early season injury and returned to elite form in the postseason where he registered multiple sacks and TFL in all three of Kutztown's playoff victories. The Quakertown, Pa., native finished the year with 25 tackles (15 solo), 10.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a safety. Retter is a two-time All-PSAC East and D2CCA All-SR1 First Team selection and was the 2024 D2CCA Super Region 1 Defensive Athlete of the Year. In 39 career games, Retter has totaled 114 tackles (57 solo), 29.5 TFL and 21.0 sacks. He ranks third in program history for career sacks. Kutztown's five All-Americans are a program single season record, surpassing the previous mark of four from 2011. The Golden Bears have had 28 First, Second or Third Team All-America selections from nationally recognized outlets since 1938. Hile and Schernecke are KU's first AFCA All-Americans since punter Dean Krcic in 2021, and the program's first AP All-Americans since tight end Jack Pilkerton in 2019. The five D2CCA selections are the Golden Bears' first representatives on that organization's teams since defensive back Brian Bingnear in 2007.