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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
This is the 22nd Elite Scholar-Athlete Award won by an NDSU student-athlete, including a remarkable 10 recipients since 2021.
Â
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.
Â
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.
Â
Â
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
Â
Â
Â
Â