2025-2026 University Credit Union Student-Athletes of the Month
FEBRUARY 2026
Recognizing the outstanding achievements of our University of Southern Maine student-athletes is something we are proud to do. Since January of 2022, Huskies' Athletics and University Credit Union have partnered up to highlight the varied and vital contributions USM student-athletes make in competition, in the classroom and in the community. Whether its big-time performances for their team, or big steps in their academic and career goals, or our student-athletes commitment to Community Service, USM & UCU are ready to celebrate our Student-Athletes of the Month.
Chosen by members of the Athletic Department administration, recipients of this honor successfully embody the Five Pillars of USM Athletics: Academic Excellence, Athletic Achievement, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Service to Community.
During the month of February, the student-athletes from the Huskies' men's and women's indoor track and field teams were selected based upon their outstanding individual performances and outstanding character: Zoe Barnes and Michael Cyr.
Zoe Barnes | Fifth-Year | Nursing | New Gloucester, Maine
A record-breaking member of the Huskies' women's track & field programs, Zoe Barnes is making her final indoor season a memorable one. Recently qualifying for the 2026 NCAA Division III National Championship in shot put, Barnes ranks fourth in NCAA Division III this season with a program-record mark of 14.32m that came at the Little East Conference Championships. She has earned numerous accolades this season including the LEC Field Athlete of the Year award and the Lynn Ruddy Women's Field MVP at Maine State Meet in addition to winning conference, state and DIII New England titles in the shot put. A two-time national qualifier in the outdoor shot put, this is Barnes first time qualifying for the indoor championships.
Barnes is an NCAA All-American in discus, and has earned multiple Little East Conference Field Athlete of the Year awards in both indoor and outdoor track & field. A Nursing major, Barnes is a three-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete.
Michael Cyr | Senior | Health Sciences | Caribou, Maine
Senior Michael Cyr, a member of the Southern Maine men's cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field teams, had a tremendous February for the Huskies, highlighted by a spectacular performance at the 2026 Little East Indoor Track & Field Championship.
Cyr won the Little East Conference title in the 3000m with a time of 8:57.58, and then came back to reach the podium in the 5000 meters as the runner up with a personal-best time of 15:29.00. Cyr earned both first team and second team All-LEC honors for his championship performances.
Majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in coaching, Cyr is a three-time William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete.
WHAT IS THE UNIVERSITY CREDIT UNION/ATHLETIC DIRECTOR STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE MONTH?
Throughout each academic year as Huskies' Athletics moves from fall to winter to the spring competition, Southern Maine student-athletes are consistently recognized at the state, conference, regional and national level for their outstanding and noteworthy performances on the field of competition.
Academically, Huskies are also known for their superior performances earning All-Academic team honors from a variety of awards bureaus as well as the University. During the 2024-25 academic year, USM student-athletes combined for a department grade point average of 3.2. Each year, Husky student-athletes receive recognition for their athletic, academic and community service activities.
Proudly supporting and emphasizing the Division III student-athlete model, Huskies' Athletics focuses its goals on five key areas for each of its nearly 450 student-athletes: Academic Excellence, Athletic Achievement, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Service to Community.
Many of USM student-athletes play big roles not only on their teams, but also in life - as student employees, mentors, student organization leaders, civic rights activists, residence life assistants, and more. With that in mind, former Director of Athletics
Al Bean partnered with University Credit Union to create a new way to honor and amplify the remarkable contributions of our student-athletes that go far beyond the stat sheet with the UCU Athletic Director Student-Athlete of the Month recognition.
"As a department, Huskies Athletics believes in the development of the overall student-athlete. As soon as they become a Husky, we are investing in their future. The goal for a USM student-athlete is for each and every one to realize their full potential academically, athletically, personally, professional and civically. Our student-athletes are leaders on and off of the field and in the community. With the creation of the UCU Athletic Director Student-Athlete of the Month honor, we are seeking to establish a tangible way to congratulate and encourage the work of student-athletes both inside and outside of the competitive arena."
The UCU Athletic Director Student-Athlete of the Month (one male, one female) will be chosen based upon Huskies' Five Key Pillars: Academic Excellence, Athletic Achievement, Personal Growth, Professional Development and Service to Community. Members of the Huskies' Athletic Administration will nominate and choose those student-athletes to be recognized.
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