The University of Idaho’s athletic department wrapped up the spring 2026 academic semester with standout classroom results, recording a department-wide GPA of 3.49 and continuing one of the more consistent streaks in Big Sky Conference athletics.
Idaho Athletics announced the results following the conclusion of the academic year, reporting that every one of the university’s sports programs posted a team GPA of 3.20 or above. Across all programs combined, 256 student-athletes finished the semester with a 3.0 GPA or higher, with 92 of those recording a perfect 4.0.
The achievement marks the 24th consecutive semester in which the Vandals as a whole have posted a departmental GPA of 3.0 or better — a streak that speaks to a sustained culture of academic accountability alongside athletic competition.
Program Records Fall, Volleyball and Men’s Tennis Lead the Way
Two programs set new academic benchmarks this spring. The Men’s Tennis team recorded a program-record GPA of 3.82, with nine players achieving a 3.0 or better and three earning a perfect 4.0. That mark eclipses the previous program record of 3.74. Valentin Glasl, Gabriel Moroder, and Sander Paradis were among those recording perfect grades.
Volleyball matched its own program record with a team GPA of 3.78, leading all team sports in the department. Five volleyball players — Ava Smith, Sarah Sullivan, Kyriah Trefren, Kailee Wakatake, and Natalia Wielgus — turned in perfect 4.0 semesters.
Women’s Track and Field produced the most individual 4.0 performances of any program, with 26 student-athletes posting perfect grade point averages for the second time this academic year. The team finished with a 3.66 GPA overall. Men’s Golf also posted a strong 3.66 as a team, with five golfers — Ben Buchanan, Dalton Dean, Henrik Koglin, Joshua McCartain, and Aaron Mohun — earning 4.0s.
Women’s Swimming and Diving finished at 3.54, with 14 members of the squad recording perfect grades. Women’s Soccer came in at 3.61 as a team, while Women’s Basketball posted a 3.54 with six players on the 4.0 list.
Football, Track Programs Show Academic Depth
The Vandal football program turned in an especially impressive showing given the size of its roster. A total of 72 football players posted a 3.0 GPA or higher, including 18 who achieved a perfect 4.0. Among those earning 4.0s were quarterback Holden Bea, wide receivers Tony Harste and Trais Higgins, tight end Chance Bogan, linebacker Cruz Hepburn, and defensive lineman Malakai Railton-Stewart. The team finished with a collective 3.32 GPA.
The football program’s academic performance comes as the Vandals continue to build their roster. Wide receiver Zack Card recently signed with the program, adding another playmaker to a squad that has demonstrated it can compete in the classroom as well as on the field.
Men’s Track and Field posted a 3.28 team GPA with 26 athletes achieving 3.0 or better. Men’s Basketball checked in at 3.21, while Women’s Golf finished at 3.50 with two players earning perfect 4.0 averages.
What Comes Next
The University of Idaho holds the distinction of being Idaho’s only Carnegie R1 research institution, a designation reflecting the highest level of doctoral research activity. Athletic department officials emphasized that student-athletes are choosing Moscow not only for competitive opportunity but for the quality of education the university provides.
As the Vandals prepare for the 2026-27 academic year, the program will look to extend its classroom streak to 25 consecutive semesters at or above a 3.0 department GPA. The university recently added a new pomologist position to advance fruit production and management research, further reflecting U of I’s commitment to academic depth across disciplines. With strong academic infrastructure and a demonstrated culture of student-athlete achievement, Idaho Athletics enters the fall with momentum on and off the field.