SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- University of North Dakota women's track & field/cross country standout
Jadyn Keeler earned yet another honor on Thursday, as she was crowned the 2024-25 Daktronics Summit League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the league office.
Keeler was recognized for her outstanding academic achievements, athletic achievements, attitude and leadership throughout the 2024-25 academic year. She becomes the second Fighting Hawk to claim the honor, joining women's basketball player Julia Fleecs, who won the honor in 2020-21.
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.
JADYN KEELER | NORTH DAKOTA
Keeler put together one of the most decorated distance running seasons in Summit League history in 2024-25, earning second team All-America honors at both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She placed 10th in the 5,000 meters at the indoor championship and took 16th in the 10,000 meters at the outdoor championship.
She also combined to win five Summit League Championships in 2025 between the indoor and outdoor seasons en route to being named the Track Championship MVP at both events. Keeler was also named the Summit League Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.
In the classroom, Keeler's achievements are just as impressive. She is working towards a double major in Molecular and Integrative Biology and Geography, while maintaining a 3.969 GPA. She has also won numerous academic awards and honors, landing on the Summit League Academic Honor Roll four times and the Summit League Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence three times. She was recently named UND's Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year as well.
The Barrie, Canada native has also gained hands-on experience in the medical field, working with researchers at the UND Medical School on specific cellular processes. She is returning to UND for her fifth year as she works towards her degree completions.
Beyond the classroom and track, Keeler has been active in the Grand Forks community, accumulating dozens of volunteer hours for a variety of events during her four years on campus. Those activities and events include the Student-Athlete Advisor Committee's annual food drive, campus clean-up, Halloween Bash, Holiday Bell Ringing and various other service projects.
Also nominated for Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Clara Gestsdottir, Denver // Catherine Chrobak, Kansas City // Annabel Thorstenson, North Dakota State // Maggie O'Brien, Omaha // Trinity Freeman, Oral Roberts // Olivia Keller, St. Thomas // Sara Reifenrath, South Dakota // Paige Meyer, South Dakota State
