FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – North Dakota State University senior Zach McGlynn was named the recipient of the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award on Friday at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.
 
The Elite Scholar-Athlete Award (formerly the NCAA Elite 90 Award) is presented to the single student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average at each of the NCAA's 92 national championships.
 
McGlynn earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from NDSU with a 4.0 cumulative GPA. He is currently working toward an MBA, also with a 4.0 GPA.
 
The NDSU men's track & field team has now claimed this prestigious honor five times in the last six years. The Bison have won four of the past five awards in outdoor track & field with Benji Phillips in 2021 and 2023, Jacob Rodin in 2022, and Sam Roller in 2025.
 
This is the 22nd Elite Scholar-Athlete Award won by an NDSU student-athlete, including a remarkable 10 recipients since 2021.
 
McGlynn, a Stephen, Minn., native, qualified for the NCAA Championships in the heptathlon after breaking the school record and ranking sixth in the nation this season.
 
The Elite Scholar-Athlete award recognizes the true essence of student-athletes by honoring the individuals who have reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers.
 
 
By The Numbers:

• 22nd total NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete / Elite 90 Award for NDSU
• 10th NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete / Elite 90 Award for NDSU since 2021
• 5th NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete / Elite 90 Award in 6 seasons for NDSU in men's track & field