Huskers Garner Academic All-Big Ten Honors

Nebraska had 119 student-athletes earn Fall Academic All-Big Ten honors, the conference announced Thursday.

NU’s honorees consist of 71 football players, 22 soccer players, 12 women’s cross country runners, 10 volleyball players and four men’s cross country runners.

Seven Huskers earned a 4.0 grade-point average for the academic year – Ali Bainbridge (women’s cross country), Noah Bustard (football), Alea Hardie (women’s cross country), Barret Liebentritt (football), McKenna Lovehaug (women’s cross country), Gabe Nash (men’s cross country) and Abby Vacek (soccer). 

Bryce Benhart claimed the award for the fifth time in his career, while Nate Boerkircher, Elliott Brown, Isaac Gifford and Nash Hutmacher all became four-time Academic All-Big Ten team members. Michael Booker III, Derek Branch, Grant Buda, Marques Buford Jr., Alex Bullock, Turner Corcoran, Thomas Fidone II, Heinrich Haarberg and AJ Rollins each grabbed their third honor. Of the 91 football student-athletes eligible for the award, 71 met the criteria, which is nearly 80% and the highest mark in program history.

The soccer team was led by four-time honorees Gwen Lane and Reagan Raabe. Florence Belzile, Audra Clark, Sami Hauk, Haley Peterson, Abbey Schwarz, Cece Villa, Sarah Weber and Jordan Zade all earned the award for the third time.

Every member of the women’s cross country squad was recognized as a member of the Academic All-Big Ten team. Taya Skelton became a five-time honoree, while Brynna McQuillen earned recognition for the fourth year and Jaquelyn Abanses, McKenna Lovehaug and Cami Merickel were all honored for the third time in their careers.

Volleyball player Taylor Landfair, a transfer from Minnesota, grabbed her fourth honor. Lindsay Krause, Kennedi Orr and Lexi Rodriguez each earned their third career awards.

Trevor Acton became a three-time award winner to lead the men’s cross country team, and Grant Wasserman was recognized for the second time.

To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team (as verified by being on the official squad list as of Nov. 1 for fall sports), have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.