Story Courtesy of Akron Athletic Communications

AUSTIN, Texas - University of Akron track and field redshirt junior Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) garnered recognition for his efforts in the classroom with his selection as a 2023-24 Academic All-America® Division I Track and Field/Cross Country recipient, as chosen by the College Sports Communicators (CSC), it was announced on Wednesday.

Garretson becomes the first Akron men's track and field student-athlete to be tabbed as a First-Team All-America honoree in back-to-back campaigns as recognized by CSC since the program's inception.

Garretson joins an exclusive group of Zips that includes men's soccer standouts Kofi Sarkodie (2009 & 2010) and Chad Barson (2011 & 2012) as the only Akron student-athletes to earn multiple First-Team Academic All-America accolades from CSC.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed on the nomination form (where applicable).

Majoring in mathematics, Garretson boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA for the Zips. A four-time All-America honoree and seven-time Mid-American Conference champion, Garretson capped his 2024 campaign advancing to the men's pole vault finals of the United States Olympic Team Trials on the strength of posting a 2024 NCAA-leading mark of 19-1.50 (5.83m). The 2024 NCAA Elite 90 winner for indoor track and field, Garretson garnered second-team All-America honors during the indoor campaign.