NEW ORLEANS- Collin Kao (Lindenhurst, Ill./Lakes Community) was named the NCAA Division III Men's Indoor Track & Field National Scholar Field Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday (July 20) in conjunction with the organization's annual All-Academic release.
 
Kao, a graduate transfer to Oshkosh this year, became the first in program history to earn the honor after maintaining a perfect 4.00 grade-point average this season.
 
Kao immediately etched his name into the Titans' record book in his first meet by breaking the indoor pole vault record by nearly a foot (5.09m, 17-8 1/4) during the John Zupanc Alumni & Friends Invitational in Kolf Sports Center on January 17. He bumped his program-leading mark higher four more times before the end of the season, eventually owning a 5.33-meter (17-5 3/4) height, which ranks eighth in NCAA Division III history and fourth in the WIAC.
 
Twice named the WIAC Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week this winter, Kao won the conference title at 5.21 meters (17-1) and the Division III title at his school-record 5.33 meters. He continued his success into the outdoor season, setting Oshkosh's outdoor pole vault record at 5.27 meters (17-3 1/2), winning the WIAC title at 5.20 meters (17-0 3/4) and taking third at the outdoor national championship with a best height of 5.10 meters (16-8 3/4).