MIAC RELEASE

ARDEN HILLS, MINN,—Bethel University women's track & field senior Ellie Hernes was selected among an exceptional pool of MIAC candidates to represent the conference as it's nominee for the 2025-26 DIIICA Men's and Women's Student Athletes of the Year.

Hernes is Bethel's third all-time women nominee for the award after Hailey Gregg in 2025, and Annessa Ihde in 2024. Those three BU nominees are the most in MIAC history. 

Hernes concluded her record-breaking career by sweeping the 2026 MIAC Women's Indoor and Outdoor Athlete of the Year Awards. These awards came on the heels of first-place marks in the long jump (5.62m) and triple jump (12.04m), as well as the indoor triple jump (11.45m). 

Outside of athletics, Hernes graduated summa cum laude with a degree in nursing. She was a three-time Academic All-MIAC and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches All-Academic honoree. Her academic excellence led to a Chi Alpha Sigma induction in 2025, and to the College Sports Communitors (CSC) Academic All-District Team in 2026. 

Hernes has volunteered with special olympics, which included the Special Olympics USA Games. She is also active in her local community with the Hiawatha Collegiate Academy High School food shelf, Woodland Hills Church, and several service-minded activities on the Bethel campus.

"My experiences as a scholar-athlete, and leader have all pointed me toward the same purpose: serving others with humility and compassion." Hernes said. "They have taught me that leadership begins by recognizing the inherent worth of another person and choosing to invest in them."