University of New Hampshire Athletics
McGovern, Zalenski Voted to America East All-Academic Team
7/1/2026 2:12:00 PM | General, Men's Track & Field, Academics
BOSTON – Senior throwers Liam McGovern (North Kingstown, R.I.) and Caden Zalenski (Milford, N.H.) of the University of New Hampshire were named to the 2026 America East Men's Outdoor Track & Field All-Academic Team.
Both McGovern and Zalenski were also named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators men's Cross Country/Track & Field Academic All-District Team on Tuesday.
UNH's two honorees tied for highest number of representatives on the 10-member America East team with two other schools. Combined with two selections on the Women's All-Academic Team, the Wildcats' total of four tied for highest of any conference school.
McGovern, who graduated this spring with a 3.56 GPA and Business Analytics degree, won the hammer title at the America East Championship meet for the third consecutive year to become only the second man to accomplish that feat – and the first in more than 30 years (since the 1989-92 seasons).
McGovern ranks No. 1 on the 2026 America East Men's Outdoor Performance List with a personal-best throw of 66.60 meters (218 feet-6 inches) at the conference championship meet. He entered the NCAA East First Round as the 16th seed with that mark and he finished in 31st place at the meet.
In the 2026 outdoor season, McGovern won the hammer a total of five times and was runner-up in one other meet – the Virginia Challenge, which included a dozen Power 4 schools.
McGovern was named to the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2025 after making the Honor Roll in both 2023 and 2024.
Zalenski, who was also voted to the 2026 Men's Indoor Track & Field All-Academic Team, earned a Finance degree with a 3.93 GPA. His top event in the 2026 outdoor season was also the hammer throw. Zalenski took fifth place at the America East Championship, and he finished with four podium finishes in the hammer with three runner-up and one third place.
Zalenski recorded his top hammer mark of 61.14m (200-7) in UNH's first home meet of the season, the Jim Boulanger Invitational. He also competed in the shot put at both home meets, including a third-place effort at the Jim Boulanger Invitational, and finished ninth in the shot put at the conference meet.
On the America East Men's Outdoor Performance List, Zalenski ranked fourth in shot put and sixth in hammer.
Zalenski has made the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll every year.
To be eligible for the All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must have sophomore athletic eligibility, a 3.30 or higher GPA and competed in at least five meets during the 2026 outdoor season.
GoCatsTravel
Whenever or wherever you travel to cheer the Wildcats, book your hotel at GoCatsTravel.com — it is the same rate as anywhere else, and 50 percent of proceeds go back to Wildcat Athletics. Pick your team, book your stay.
Both McGovern and Zalenski were also named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators men's Cross Country/Track & Field Academic All-District Team on Tuesday.
UNH's two honorees tied for highest number of representatives on the 10-member America East team with two other schools. Combined with two selections on the Women's All-Academic Team, the Wildcats' total of four tied for highest of any conference school.
McGovern, who graduated this spring with a 3.56 GPA and Business Analytics degree, won the hammer title at the America East Championship meet for the third consecutive year to become only the second man to accomplish that feat – and the first in more than 30 years (since the 1989-92 seasons).
McGovern ranks No. 1 on the 2026 America East Men's Outdoor Performance List with a personal-best throw of 66.60 meters (218 feet-6 inches) at the conference championship meet. He entered the NCAA East First Round as the 16th seed with that mark and he finished in 31st place at the meet.
In the 2026 outdoor season, McGovern won the hammer a total of five times and was runner-up in one other meet – the Virginia Challenge, which included a dozen Power 4 schools.
McGovern was named to the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2025 after making the Honor Roll in both 2023 and 2024.
Zalenski, who was also voted to the 2026 Men's Indoor Track & Field All-Academic Team, earned a Finance degree with a 3.93 GPA. His top event in the 2026 outdoor season was also the hammer throw. Zalenski took fifth place at the America East Championship, and he finished with four podium finishes in the hammer with three runner-up and one third place.
Zalenski recorded his top hammer mark of 61.14m (200-7) in UNH's first home meet of the season, the Jim Boulanger Invitational. He also competed in the shot put at both home meets, including a third-place effort at the Jim Boulanger Invitational, and finished ninth in the shot put at the conference meet.
On the America East Men's Outdoor Performance List, Zalenski ranked fourth in shot put and sixth in hammer.
Zalenski has made the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll every year.
To be eligible for the All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must have sophomore athletic eligibility, a 3.30 or higher GPA and competed in at least five meets during the 2026 outdoor season.
GoCatsTravel
Whenever or wherever you travel to cheer the Wildcats, book your hotel at GoCatsTravel.com — it is the same rate as anywhere else, and 50 percent of proceeds go back to Wildcat Athletics. Pick your team, book your stay.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
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