McGlynn Crowned Daktronics Summit League Scholar-Athlete of the Year
8/6/2026 1:09:00 PM | Men's Track and Field
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State University track & field standout Zach McGlynn was named the 2025-26 Daktronics Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year across all Summit League sports, the league announced Thursday.
McGlynn is recognized for his outstanding academic achievements, athletic achievements, attitude, and leadership throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
McGlynn's honor marks the sixth time North Dakota State earned the men's award, which is the most by any current or former member in League history. The other former Bison to win the award were Sam Roller (2024-25; Track & Field), Elliott Stone (2018-19; Track & Field), Tim Colwell (2013-14; baseball), and Brett Winkelman (2007-08, 2008-09; men's basketball).
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is the most prestigious accolade The Summit League bestows each year and is determined by a vote of the league's faculty athletic representatives.
Zach McGlynn | North Dakota State
McGlynn capped his collegiate career with his best season in the decathlon and heptathlon, earning second-team All-America honors at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships after placing 14th in the decathlon with a score of 7,430. He also broke The Summit League Championship meet record in the event with a score of 7,922.
The Bison senior earned first-team All-America honors in the heptathlon at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships after placing seventh with a personal-best score of 5,995.
The Stephen, Minn., native was also named the recipient of the NCAA Elite-Scholar Athlete Award, formerly known as the NCAA Elite 90 Award. The honor is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at each of the NCAA's 92 national championships. McGlynn earned a perfect 4.0 undergraduate GPA while completing his degree in agricultural economics and followed it with a 4.0 graduate GPA while earning his Master of Business Administration degree and a graduate certificate in leadership and managerial skills.
McGlynn also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America first-team honors and CSC Academic All-District recognition. A five-time Summit League Academic All-League selection, he was also named the 2026 Summit League Outdoor Track & Field Scholar of the Championship.
On the track and in the field, McGlynn captured his first career Summit League decathlon title at the 2026 Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was named the championship's Most Outstanding Performer. He finished the 2026 season ranked ninth nationally in the decathlon.
During the indoor season, McGlynn was named the 2026 Summit League Indoor Field Athlete of the Year and the Summit League Indoor Championship Field MVP after placing second in the pole vault, third in the long jump and fourth in the high jump. He also set North Dakota State school records in both the heptathlon and decathlon in 2026 and was named NDSU Athletics Male Athlete of the Year.
Beyond competition, McGlynn has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service. He is actively involved in the NDSU Pathway Venture Club, serves as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle leader and is a member of Ignite Church. Through these organizations, he has consistently invested in the growth and development of his peers while serving as a positive representative of North Dakota State and The Summit League.
NDSU's Summit League Scholar-Athletes of the Year
McGlynn is recognized for his outstanding academic achievements, athletic achievements, attitude, and leadership throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
McGlynn's honor marks the sixth time North Dakota State earned the men's award, which is the most by any current or former member in League history. The other former Bison to win the award were Sam Roller (2024-25; Track & Field), Elliott Stone (2018-19; Track & Field), Tim Colwell (2013-14; baseball), and Brett Winkelman (2007-08, 2008-09; men's basketball).
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is the most prestigious accolade The Summit League bestows each year and is determined by a vote of the league's faculty athletic representatives.
Zach McGlynn | North Dakota State
McGlynn capped his collegiate career with his best season in the decathlon and heptathlon, earning second-team All-America honors at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships after placing 14th in the decathlon with a score of 7,430. He also broke The Summit League Championship meet record in the event with a score of 7,922.
The Bison senior earned first-team All-America honors in the heptathlon at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships after placing seventh with a personal-best score of 5,995.
The Stephen, Minn., native was also named the recipient of the NCAA Elite-Scholar Athlete Award, formerly known as the NCAA Elite 90 Award. The honor is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at each of the NCAA's 92 national championships. McGlynn earned a perfect 4.0 undergraduate GPA while completing his degree in agricultural economics and followed it with a 4.0 graduate GPA while earning his Master of Business Administration degree and a graduate certificate in leadership and managerial skills.
McGlynn also earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America first-team honors and CSC Academic All-District recognition. A five-time Summit League Academic All-League selection, he was also named the 2026 Summit League Outdoor Track & Field Scholar of the Championship.
On the track and in the field, McGlynn captured his first career Summit League decathlon title at the 2026 Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was named the championship's Most Outstanding Performer. He finished the 2026 season ranked ninth nationally in the decathlon.
During the indoor season, McGlynn was named the 2026 Summit League Indoor Field Athlete of the Year and the Summit League Indoor Championship Field MVP after placing second in the pole vault, third in the long jump and fourth in the high jump. He also set North Dakota State school records in both the heptathlon and decathlon in 2026 and was named NDSU Athletics Male Athlete of the Year.
Beyond competition, McGlynn has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service. He is actively involved in the NDSU Pathway Venture Club, serves as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle leader and is a member of Ignite Church. Through these organizations, he has consistently invested in the growth and development of his peers while serving as a positive representative of North Dakota State and The Summit League.
NDSU's Summit League Scholar-Athletes of the Year
- 2007-08 Brett Winkelman, men's basketball
- 2008-09 Brett Winkelman, men's basketball
- 2010-11 Whitney Carlson, women's track & field
- 2011-12 Amy Anderson, women's golf
- 2013-14 Tim Colwell, baseball
- 2016-17 Morgan Milbrath, women's track & field
- 2018-19 Elliott Stone, men's cross country and track & field
- 2019-20 Shelby Gunnells, women's track & field
- 2021-22 Amanda Anderson, women's track & field
- 2024-25 Sam Roller, men's track & field
- 2025-26 Zach McGlynn, men's track & field
Players Mentioned
Multi
/ Men's Track and Field
Javelin
/ Men's Track and FieldMonday, October 20
Friday, May 26
Monday, February 13
Wednesday, January 18
