Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Eamonn Ryan
Wade Shomper Earns Third Team Academic All-America Honors
7/14/2026 12:01:00 PM | Men's Track and Field
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Wade Shomper recently graduated from Bucknell after one of the most successful careers in program history, but the accolades continue to roll in for the former Bison shot putter. On Tuesday, he was named to the Third Team of the 2025-26 Academic All-America men's track & field/cross country teams as selected by College Sports Communicators. Shomper became the tenth Bison ever and the first since Luke Giugliano in 2017 to place on an Academic All-America squad.Â
"I'm grateful for all the support for academics by my coaches and my professors at Bucknell," Shomper said.Â
CSC Release
"It is an amazing accolade that truly defines Wade's career," Bucknell throws coach Ryan Protzman said. "It wasn't one thing that stood out for Wade, it was a total package. Whatever he does, he strives to be the best. What a way to go out."Â
Shomper graduated from Bucknell with a degree in International Relations/Economics and a sterling 3.79 GPA. He maintained his prodigious academic standing while holding tenure as the throws group captain. His star burned as brightly in the classroom as in the shot put circle. Shomper collected five Academic All-Patriot League honors - the most in program history - and earned Academic All-District honors in 2026.Â
He concluded his career as Bucknell's record holder in the indoor and outdoor shot put, notched Second Team All-American honors in June, won the Patriot League championship three times, was a three-time First Team All-Patriot League member, and won 15 events. He broke his own school records multiple times during his career and won three consecutive Patriot League titles beginning with the 2025 Outdoor Championships.
Shomper saved his finest work for the final month of his collegiate tenure. He set a personal record of 18.40m (60-4.50) at the 2026 Patriot League Outdoor Championships, clearing 60 feet for the first time. At the NCAA East First Round at the University of Kentucky, Shomper delivered another clutch performance, with a throw of 18.94m (62-1.75) for a new PR, sixth place, and a ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. At historic Hayward Field, Shomper made Bucknell history. He threw 18.25m (59-10.50), finishing 16th and became Bucknell's eighth All-American and the first shot putter to unlock the coveted laurel.Â
Shomper plans to continue competing in the shot put and will be eligible for the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2036.Â
The 16-member Division I first team had a 3.87 average undergraduate GPA. Additionally, the members of the CSC Academic All-America® men's track & field/cross country Division I teams had 11 student-athletes who hold a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate or graduate degree programs.Â
Bucknell Men's Track and Field Academic All-Americans
1989: Steve West, 1st Team
1990: Peter O'Brien, 3rd Team
1991: Matt Deardorff, 1st Team
1992: Matt Deardorff, 1st Team; Bob Kelly, 2nd Team
1999: Ron Hess, 3rd Team
2000: Ron Hess, 2nd Team
2003: Bryan Johnston, 2nd Team; Adam Kaufman, 2nd Team
2008: David Mante, 3rd Team
2016: Luke Giugliano, 3rd Team
2017: Luke Giugliano, 1st Team
2026: Wade Shomper, 3rd Team
Â
"I'm grateful for all the support for academics by my coaches and my professors at Bucknell," Shomper said.Â
CSC Release
"It is an amazing accolade that truly defines Wade's career," Bucknell throws coach Ryan Protzman said. "It wasn't one thing that stood out for Wade, it was a total package. Whatever he does, he strives to be the best. What a way to go out."Â
Shomper graduated from Bucknell with a degree in International Relations/Economics and a sterling 3.79 GPA. He maintained his prodigious academic standing while holding tenure as the throws group captain. His star burned as brightly in the classroom as in the shot put circle. Shomper collected five Academic All-Patriot League honors - the most in program history - and earned Academic All-District honors in 2026.Â
He concluded his career as Bucknell's record holder in the indoor and outdoor shot put, notched Second Team All-American honors in June, won the Patriot League championship three times, was a three-time First Team All-Patriot League member, and won 15 events. He broke his own school records multiple times during his career and won three consecutive Patriot League titles beginning with the 2025 Outdoor Championships.
Shomper saved his finest work for the final month of his collegiate tenure. He set a personal record of 18.40m (60-4.50) at the 2026 Patriot League Outdoor Championships, clearing 60 feet for the first time. At the NCAA East First Round at the University of Kentucky, Shomper delivered another clutch performance, with a throw of 18.94m (62-1.75) for a new PR, sixth place, and a ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. At historic Hayward Field, Shomper made Bucknell history. He threw 18.25m (59-10.50), finishing 16th and became Bucknell's eighth All-American and the first shot putter to unlock the coveted laurel.Â
Shomper plans to continue competing in the shot put and will be eligible for the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2036.Â
The 16-member Division I first team had a 3.87 average undergraduate GPA. Additionally, the members of the CSC Academic All-America® men's track & field/cross country Division I teams had 11 student-athletes who hold a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate or graduate degree programs.Â
Bucknell Men's Track and Field Academic All-Americans
1989: Steve West, 1st Team
1990: Peter O'Brien, 3rd Team
1991: Matt Deardorff, 1st Team
1992: Matt Deardorff, 1st Team; Bob Kelly, 2nd Team
1999: Ron Hess, 3rd Team
2000: Ron Hess, 2nd Team
2003: Bryan Johnston, 2nd Team; Adam Kaufman, 2nd Team
2008: David Mante, 3rd Team
2016: Luke Giugliano, 3rd Team
2017: Luke Giugliano, 1st Team
2026: Wade Shomper, 3rd Team
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
Throws
/ Men's Track and FieldTuesday, June 09
Tuesday, June 09
Tuesday, June 09
Thursday, June 04