Courtesy of Akron Sports Information

AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Akron track and field redshirt senior Hunter Garretson (Newcomerstown, Ohio) garnered recognition for his efforts in the classroom with his selection as a 2025 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 became the first Akron student-athlete to be tabbed as a First-Team All-American honoree in back-to-back-to-back campaigns as recognized by CSC since the program's inception. Additionally, he represents the initial three-time First-Team honoree for men's track and field in the Mid-American Conference.

Garretson is among an exclusive group of Zips that includes men's soccer standouts Kofi Sarkodie (2009 & 2010) and Chad Barson (2011 & 2012) to earn multiple First-Team Academic All-America accolades as honored by 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 five-time All-America honoree and nine-time Mid-American Conference champion, Garretson capped his 2025 campaign advancing to the men's pole vault finals of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The 2025 NCAA Elite 90 winner for indoor track and field, Garretson garnered First-Team All-America honors during the indoor campaign.