AUSTIN, Texas – Following another historic season on the track and in the classroom that included the second NAIA Outdoor National Title in program history, the University of the Cumberlands men's track & field program placed a program-record five student-athletes on the CSC Academic All-America Team. Luca Madeo repeated as the CSC NAIA Men's Track & Field Team Member of the Year, while Madeo, Dillan Melchiore, Hauke Trost, and Edwin van Wyk earned First Team honors. Ryan Ehrler was named to the Second Team.
 
Madeo becomes just the second Patriot in school history to repeat as CSC Academic All-America Team Member of the Year after earning the distinction for the second consecutive season. He also becomes a two-time CSC Academic All-America First Team selection.
 
"Luca is a true testament to the idea of a student-athlete," said Head Coach Bradley Sowder. "Both aspects are of the highest priority and are pursued with an unending pursuit of excellence. No one is more deserving of this award than Luca Madeo."
 
Luca capped off another remarkable season by winning NAIA national championships in the indoor 5,000 meters and outdoor 10,000 meters while also earning All-America honors in the outdoor 5,000 meters. The junior posted a perfect 4.00 GPA as an Exercise & Sport Science major while also earning NAIA Scholar-Athlete and MSC Academic All-Conference honors.
 
Melchiore earned his first CSC Academic All-America honor after posting a 3.97 GPA as a double major in Accounting and Business Administration. On the track, he earned All-America honors with a fourth-place finish in the indoor 3,000-meter racewalk and a seventh-place finish in the outdoor 5,000-meter racewalk. He also earned Third Team All-Conference honors in the indoor 3,000-meter racewalk while helping the Patriots capture the NAIA Outdoor National Championship.
 
Trost also earned First Team CSC Academic All-America recognition after compiling a 3.91 GPA as a Physics major. The junior is a three-time NAIA All-American in 2026, earning honors in the indoor 1,000 meters, indoor Distance Medley Relay, and outdoor 4x800-meter relay. Trost also collected First Team All-Conference honors as a member of the Patriots' outdoor 4x800-meter relay. He added a MSC All-Conference finish at the MSC Cross Country Championships, placing fifth overall.
 
Van Wyk rounded out the Patriots' First Team selections after maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA in the Artificial Intelligence graduate program. Athletically, he helped the Patriots capture the NAIA Outdoor National Championship in the 4x100-meter relay for the first time ever, while also earning All-America honors as part of the indoor Distance Medley Relay. Van Wyk finished his season with three First Team All-Conference honors, earning recognition in the outdoor 4x100-meter relay, outdoor 4x400-meter relay, and indoor Distance Medley Relay.
 
Ehrler was named to the CSC Academic All-America Second Team after posting a 3.92 GPA as a Physics major. The sophomore was a three-time NAIA All-American this year, earning honors in the outdoor 4x800-meter relay, indoor 1,000 meters, and indoor Distance Medley Relay. Ehrler also earned First Team All-Conference honors in the outdoor 4x800-meter relay, indoor 1,000 meters, and indoor 4x800-meter relay. In cross country, Ehrler was the runner-up at the MSC Championships.
 
The five selections are the most CSC Academic All-America honorees in a single season in program history and continue the recent academic success of the Patriots.
 
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