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13 Student-Athletes Earn Spots on Exemplar & Top 50 Lists
3/13/2026 10:06:00 AM | General, Men's Cross Country, Men's Golf, Women's Cross Country, Women's Soccer, Women's Track and Field, Men's Track and Field
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – 13 Mastodon student-athletes have been chosen to the 2026 classes of Exemplar and Top 50 Purdue Fort Wayne students. These individuals are engaged on the Purdue Fort Wayne campus in their academics, athletics and other co-curricular activities, they also make significant impacts in their own communities.
Each year, college and school deans, department chairs, and/or faculty select students to be Exemplars. Those receiving this honor must complete an undergraduate degree during the fall, spring, or summer semester of the current academic year; have graduated with distinction or be tentatively qualified to achieve that status; demonstrate excellence in their areas of study; and have a record of community outreach in their field. Of the seven students earning Exemplar status in 2026, three are student-athletes:
Colin Gasson | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Colten Gasson | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Francesca Carlo | Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Since 2016, Purdue University Fort Wayne has also recognized a larger group of Mastodons for their enthusiasm and success in making the most of their full student experience. Called simply the Top 50, these individuals have high GPAs; excel in university activities, events, and organizations; and demonstrate strong community engagement across Fort Wayne and in their hometowns.
Students must meet specific qualifications and apply to be considered in the selection process. The final recipients are chosen by the Top 50 Committee. 20 percent of the 50 students are student-athletes:
AJ Agnew | Men's Golf
Lauryn Brucchieri | Women's Soccer
Jenna Ellsworth | Women's Soccer
Ava Genovese | Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Bella Hodges | Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Lauren Klusek | Women's Soccer
Amanda Leonard | Women's Soccer
Jack Mills | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Harrison Niswander | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Ellie Zagel | Women's Track & Field
Each year, college and school deans, department chairs, and/or faculty select students to be Exemplars. Those receiving this honor must complete an undergraduate degree during the fall, spring, or summer semester of the current academic year; have graduated with distinction or be tentatively qualified to achieve that status; demonstrate excellence in their areas of study; and have a record of community outreach in their field. Of the seven students earning Exemplar status in 2026, three are student-athletes:
Colin Gasson | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Colten Gasson | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Francesca Carlo | Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Since 2016, Purdue University Fort Wayne has also recognized a larger group of Mastodons for their enthusiasm and success in making the most of their full student experience. Called simply the Top 50, these individuals have high GPAs; excel in university activities, events, and organizations; and demonstrate strong community engagement across Fort Wayne and in their hometowns.
Students must meet specific qualifications and apply to be considered in the selection process. The final recipients are chosen by the Top 50 Committee. 20 percent of the 50 students are student-athletes:
AJ Agnew | Men's Golf
Lauryn Brucchieri | Women's Soccer
Jenna Ellsworth | Women's Soccer
Ava Genovese | Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Bella Hodges | Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Lauren Klusek | Women's Soccer
Amanda Leonard | Women's Soccer
Jack Mills | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Harrison Niswander | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Ellie Zagel | Women's Track & Field
~ Feel The Rumble ~
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
MF
/ Women's Soccer
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
D
/ Women's Soccer
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Distance
/ Men's Track and Field
Multi
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