NEW ORLEANS, LA – University of the Cumberlands standout Luca Madeo was named the 2026 USTFCCCA NAIA Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field co-National Scholar Track Athlete of the Year, adding two more national accolades to his historic season.
 
Madeo maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA as an Exercise & Sport Science major while capturing a pair of NAIA national championships and earning three All-America honors across the indoor and outdoor seasons.
 
The junior began the track season by winning the indoor 5,000-meter national championship for the second consecutive year. Madeo continued his success outdoors, successfully defending his national title in the 10,000 meters before adding another All-America finish in the outdoor 5,000 meters. His pair of All-American outdoor finished helped the Patriots win the NAIA Outdoor T&F National Championship for just the second time in program history.
 
Madeo's success extended beyond competition, as he was also named the CSC NAIA Men's Track & Field Team Member of the Year earlier this year. He earned that honor for the second straight season after pairing his perfect GPA with another championship campaign.
 
His indoor 5,000-meter title, outdoor 10,000-meter championship, and CSC Team Member of the Year recognition have now each come in back-to-back seasons.
 
The USTFCCCA honors add to an outstanding year for Madeo, whose commitment in the classroom matched his continued success on the national stage.
 
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