Emily LaMena has been named Academic Athlete of the Year as part of the 2026 RMAC All-Academic teams, leading 42 Colorado School of Mines track and field student-athletes recognized this week. The team includes 10 Orediggers receiving First-Team honors and 32 named to the Academic Honor Roll. LaMena, a redshirt sophomore, also achieved recent accolades as USTFCCCA Regional Track Athlete of the Year, and RMAC Co-Track Athlete of the Year, contributing significantly to her team鈥檚 performance at the NCAA Division II championship.

By the Numbers
  • 10 Orediggers earned First-Team Academic All-RMAC honors (6 men, 4 women).
  • 32 additional athletes were named to the RMAC Academic Honor Roll.
  • LaMena scored 18 team points at the NCAA Division II championships, leading to a third-place team finish.
Yes, But

While the recognition highlights academic and athletic excellence, it raises questions about how these student-athletes balance rigorous training schedules with academic demands, an ongoing challenge in collegiate athletics.

State of Play
  • Academic performance criteria require a minimum 3.30 cumulative GPA for Honor Roll inclusion.
  • First-Team selections must have at least a 3.50 GPA while excelling in their sport.
What's Next

As the track and field season concludes, attention will turn to how heightened academic recognition can impact recruitment and future performances for Mines, potentially attracting more talented student-athletes.

Bottom Line

The success of Orediggers reflects a commendable balance between academic achievement and athletic performance, setting a benchmark for future teams to aspire to, underscoring that excellence in sports and studies can coexist harmoniously.