Academic Support for Student-Athletes 05.27.26

Four Titans Tabbed To Valeo Outdoor #HLTF All-Academic Team

Academic Support for Student-Athletes 05.27.26

Four Titans Tabbed To Valeo Outdoor #HLTF All-Academic Team

INDIANAPOLIS (5/27/2026) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's and women's track and field teams saw four student-athletes earn high academic laurels as the Horizon League announced the Valeo Outdoor All-Academic Team on Wednesday.

The men's team saw graduate senior Luke Adamczyk, senior Joshua Otten, and junior Joshua Neary all receive the honor, while junior Grace Steffes took the accolade on the women's side.

It is the seventh All-Academic Team award for Otten between cross country and indoor and outdoor track, including the second in the outdoor season, while Neary has been honored twice in indoor and outdoor track and field. Both Adamczyk and Steffes are receiving the award for the first time in their careers.

Adamczyk is in the Dental Hygiene Program and ended his collegiate career scoring at the HL Championships, taking seventh in the javelin with a season-best 45.45 meters.

A Business major, Neary scored at the league meet, finishing seventh in the decathlon with 5,466 points, taking third in the 1,500 meters, and fourth in the shot put.

Otten, an English and Political Science major, took third in the 1,500m in a school record 3:47.85, as well as ninth in the 5,000m in 14:39.89, third in school history, at the Horizon League Championships.

Steffes, a Social Work major, earned points for the Titans at the league championships, finishing seventh in the discus with a career-best throw of 38.40m.

A total of 39 student-athletes were named to the All-Academic Team, while 13 more were tabbed as honorable mentions in balloting by the League's faculty athletics representatives. The Horizon League recognizes student-athletes with seasonal Academic All-League teams in each of its 19 championship sports.

To be eligible for Horizon League's All-Academic consideration, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.20 or higher (based on a 4.00 scale), have completed at least one year at the member institution, having earned 24 semester-hour or 36 quarter-hour credits, and participate in 50 percent of the team's overall contests.

An Honorable Mention is awarded to student-athletes who received at least 25 percent of votes, but did not make the All-Academic team.

2026 Valeo Men's Outdoor #HLTF All-Academic Team
Luke Adamczyk, Detroit Mercy
Joshua Neary, Detroit Mercy
Joshua Otten, Detroit Mercy
Nolan King, IU Indianapolis
Luke Shappell, IU Indianapolis
Karsten Grundahl, Milwaukee
Zac Schmidt, Milwaukee
Sam Schreiber, Milwaukee
Colton O'Hara, Northern Kentucky
Tyler Donovan, Oakland
Carter McCalister, Oakland
Colten Gasson, Purdue Fort Wayne
Patrick Statzer, Wright State
Michael Ballone, Youngstown State
Blaze Fichter, Youngstown State
Jaden Kirkwood, Youngtown State
Lukas Lang, Youngstown State
Connor Shingleton, Youngstown State
Trenton Shutters, Youngstown State

Men's Outdoor Track Honorable Mentions
Anthony Buford, Milwaukee
Josh Cygan, Milwaukee
Tim Maidment, Milwaukee
Pierce Grzymkowski, Oakland
Josiah Bird, Purdue Fort Wayne
Colin Gasson, Purdue Fort Wayne
Noah Morris, Purdue Fort Wayne

2026 Valeo Women's Outdoor #HLTF All-Academic Team
Grace Steffes, Detroit Mercy
Isabel Roloff, Milwaukee
Anna Szepieniec, Milwaukee
Olivia VanZeeland, Milwaukee
Kallie Volk, Milwaukee
Cameron Bittermann, Northern Kentucky
Sierra Kendall, Northern Kentucky
Olivia Kennedy, Northern Kentucky
Kylei Anderson, Oakland
Jamie Giese, Oakland
Victoria Sanders, Oakland
Ava Genovese, Purdue Fort Wayne
Bella Hodges, Purdue Fort Wayne
Ali Sparks, Purdue Fort Wayne
Riley Tate, Purdue Fort Wayne
Julia Dill, RMU
Sydney Thompson, Wright State
McKinley Fielding, Youngstown State
Ainsley Hamsher, Youngstown State
Caleigh Richards, Youngstown State

Women's Outdoor Track Honorable Mentions
Katie Burns, Milwaukee
Makenna Scott, Oakland
Francesca Carlo, Purdue Fort Wayne
Ellie Zagel, Purdue Fort Wayne
Maizee Fry, RMU
Lexus Solarz, Youngstown State

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Players Mentioned

Grace Steffes: Throws; Junior

Luke Adamczyk: Sprints/Throws; Graduate Student

Joshua Neary: Hurdles/Multi; Junior

Joshua Otten: Mid-Distance; Senior

Players Mentioned

Grace Steffes
: Junior
: Throws

Luke Adamczyk
: Graduate Student
: Sprints/Throws

Joshua Neary
: Junior
: Hurdles/Multi

Joshua Otten
: Senior
: Mid-Distance

University of Detroit Mercy Athletics

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned