FARMINGTON, Utah (July 16, 2026) – Northern Arizona distance runner
Cael Grotenhuis and golfer
Lizzie Neale were announced as NAU's Big Sky Conference Scholar Athletes for the 2025-26 season on Thursday.
To be eligible for this award, student-athletes must have exhausted his or her intercollegiate athletic eligibility and/or be a member of the graduating class, earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2, been a participant in a Big Sky sponsored sport, completed at least two (2) years of intercollegiate competition at the institution and been a letterwinner.
Grotenhuis graduated with his master's degree in educational leadership in the spring. The Slinger, Wis. native enjoyed a successful final season as a Lumberjack, placing 13th in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Prior to that, Grotenhuis claimed his second career individual Big Sky title in the 10,000 meters, returning to the podium for the first time since the 2024 conference outdoor meet.
This spring marked Grotenhuis' second appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships after qualifying in both the 5,000 and the 10,000 in 2024. Grotenhuis placed ninth in the 5,000 and 14th in the 10,000 that year. Additionally, his final cross country season last fall was his best, placing fifth at the conference championship and 62nd at the national championship.
Like Grotenhuis, Neale earned her degree in May, completing her bachelor's degree in university studies. Her degree capped a stellar degree as a Lumberjack in which she was named the 2025-26 Big Sky Player of the Year after compiling a scoring average of 71.65 as a senior. In her final season, Neale shot 16 rounds at even par or better, including eight rounds in the 60s.
Neale led the Lumberjacks to the 2026 Big Sky Championship after earning co-medalist honors at the conference tournament. The Nelson, New Zealand native also won the 2024 individual conference title as a sophomore.
