Jadyn Keeler Honored Again as Summit League Women's Track Athlete of the Year

GRAND FORKS — Jadyn Keeler's remarkable collegiate journey concluded recently at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held in Eugene, Oregon. However, the University of North Dakota senior continues to garner accolades, as she was recognized once more as the Summit League Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year on Wednesday.

This season, Keeler made history by securing a sixth-place finish in the 10,000-meter run at the NCAA championships, making her the first athlete from the Fighting Hawks to achieve First Team All-American status. Additionally, she placed 12th in the 5,000-meter race, earning Second Team All-American honors. With these achievements, she became the first athlete in UND's Division I history to be named an All-American three times and the first to receive two All-American titles at the same national event.

Her impressive performance was a continuation of her strong season, which included a third-place finish at the NCAA West Preliminary in May and dominant victories at the Summit League Championships in Fargo, North Dakota. There, she clinched gold in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, the 5,000-meter run, and the 10,000-meter run, setting three school records along the way.

Keeler's second consecutive Athlete of the Year award is just one of many honors she has achieved throughout her career. She will leave as a six-time Summit League champion, a three-time All-American, and a two-time MVP of the Summit League Track Championship.

In other news, UND has bolstered its roster with the addition of Juliana Haddad, a 5-foot-10 forward from Espoo, Finland, who is set to join the Hawks for the 2026-27 season. Haddad previously played at Northern Illinois, where she averaged 5.7 minutes in 12 games last season. Her most notable performance was against Iowa State, where she scored two points and grabbed five rebounds. Prior to her time at Northern Illinois, she played for Eastern Florida State College and represented Finland in several international competitions.

Moreover, the UND men's basketball team is gearing up for the Cancun Challenge, scheduled for November 24-25 in Mexico. This marks their return to the tournament since 2024, where they will compete alongside teams like Detroit Mercy and Northern Colorado.