Jadyn Keeler Named 2024-25 Daktronics Summit League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year
North Dakota’s cross country and track standout, Jadyn Keeler, has been honored with the prestigious 2024-25 Daktronics Summit League Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.This recognition celebrates her exceptional academic achievements, athletic prowess, positive attitude, and leadership throughout the academic year. Keeler is the second Fighting Hawk to receive this esteemed accolade, following in the footsteps of women’s basketball player Julia Fleecs, who earned the award in 2020-21.
the Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is the Summit league’s highest honor,steadfast by a vote of the league’s faculty athletic representatives.Keeler delivered a historic distance running season in 2024-25, securing second-team All-America status at both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She finished 10th in the 5,000 meters at the indoor championships and 16th in the 10,000 meters at the outdoor championships.Her dominance extended to the summit League Championships, where she claimed five titles across the indoor and outdoor seasons. keeler was named Track Championship MVP at both events and was also recognized as the Summit League Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.
Academically, Keeler has achieved remarkable success, pursuing a double major in Molecular and Integrative Biology and Geography with an remarkable 3.969 GPA. Her academic accolades include four selections to the Summit League Academic Honor Roll and three appearances on the summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic excellence. She was also recently named UND’s Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The Barrie, Canada native has also gained practical experience in the medical field, collaborating with researchers at the UND Medical School on cellular processes. She is returning to UND for her fifth year to complete her degrees.
Beyond her academic and athletic commitments, Keeler has been an active member of the Grand Forks community, dedicating numerous volunteer hours to various events during her four years on campus. These include the Student-Athlete Advisor Commitee’s annual food drive, campus clean-up initiatives, the Halloween Bash, Holiday Bell Ringing, and other community service projects.
Other nominees for the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year award included 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), and Paige Meyer (South dakota State).
