Kansas State University’s track and field program earned significant recognition for its excellence in both academics and athletics, with 12 student-athletes being named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team. The honor highlights the Wildcats’ continued commitment to achieving success in the classroom while competing at the highest levels of collegiate track and field.
The announcement marks another milestone for K-State under head coach Travis Geopfert, as 17 Wildcats have now received CSC Academic All-District recognition over the past two seasons. Even more impressive, five of this year’s honorees maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA during the academic year, demonstrating elite performance both academically and athletically.
The men’s representatives included Thomas Canivet, Tah Chikomba, Brock Olsen, Selva Prabhu, Emil Uhlin, and Tavon Underwood, while the women’s selections were Jourdin Edwards, Cecilia Fisher, Kayla Goodwin, Aaliyah Lindsay, Taylor Mayo, and Maud Zeffou-Poaty.
Several athletes earned repeat recognition. Tavon Underwood, Jourdin Edwards, and Taylor Mayo received the award for a second consecutive year, while Emil Uhlin collected the distinction for the fourth time in his career. Some of the selected athletes will now advance for consideration for CSC Academic All-America honors, which are scheduled to be announced in mid-July.
Among the standout performers was Tah Chikomba, who enjoyed one of the most remarkable seasons in program history. The Zimbabwean long jumper captured the NCAA Outdoor Championship, set a new school record, claimed the Big 12 title, and earned national and regional field athlete of the year honors. His wind-aided leap of 8.75 meters ranked among the greatest all-conditions performances ever recorded in NCAA and world history.
Sophomore triple jumper Selva Prabhu also delivered a championship-caliber season, winning the NCAA Outdoor title and securing the Big 12 crown. He established one of the top marks in school history and earned a silver medal at the NCAA Indoor Championships after breaking the K-State indoor school record.
Veteran decathlete Emil Uhlin capped off an outstanding collegiate career with another Academic All-District selection. Graduating with a perfect GPA in biology, the Swedish standout added to an already impressive list of academic achievements while earning First Team All-America honors after placing fifth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
On the women’s side, Aaliyah Lindsay emerged as one of the Wildcats’ top performers, earning First Team All-America recognition in the long jump after finishing eighth nationally. She also recorded one of the best outdoor long jumps in school history and was the only K-State woman to qualify for NCAA regional competition in two separate events.
Maud Zeffou-Poaty continued her success in the long jump, winning the Big 12 Indoor Championship and securing First Team All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Meanwhile, Jourdin Edwards concluded her career with both academic and athletic distinction, earning another Academic All-District honor while competing at the NCAA West Preliminary in the 400-meter hurdles.
The Wildcats also received strong contributions from student-athletes such as Thomas Canivet, who posted one of the fastest 400-meter hurdle times in school history; Brock Olsen, who excelled in distance events while maintaining a perfect GPA; and Kayla Goodwin, who completed her master’s degree with a flawless academic record while competing in the heptathlon.
Taylor Mayo added another Academic All-District selection after a productive season in the triple jump, while Cecilia Fisher continued to build on her impressive academic résumé, earning recognition for her consistent excellence in both cross country and track competition.
To qualify for CSC Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA and meet rigorous athletic performance standards, including ranking among the top performers in their region. K-State’s 12 selections underscore the program’s ability to develop well-rounded student-athletes who excel in competition while maintaining exceptional academic standards.
The recognition serves as another testament to the culture of excellence being built within Kansas State’s track and field program, where championship performances and academic achievement continue to go hand in hand.
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