The Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) has named recent Colorado College graduates Rabbit Barnes and Alison Mueller-Hickler the 2025-26 National Men's and Women's Sport Athletes of the Year, respectively.
 
The awards are given to graduating seniors whose accomplishments exemplify the Division III model of excellence in athletics, academics, leadership and community engagement.
 
This is one of the most prestigious awards in NCAA Division III and for the first time in the five-year history of the awards, both recipients come from the same school. In fact, CC is now the only Division III school in the nation with multiple recipients of the awards, which cover all sports.   

"This is a historic achievement and one that speaks to Colorado College's national aspiration," Colorado College Vice President and Director of Athletics Lesley Irvine said. "To put this in perspective, there were approximately 210,000 Division III student-athletes competing last year across 426 members. We are so proud of Rabbit and Alison. They epitomize what it means to bring championship culture to all elements of their student-athlete experience. I also want to congratulate the coaching staff for their daily support of such incredible talent. We are proud to represent the SCAC and look forward to celebrating Rabbit and Alison with this incredible recognition."
 
Barnes, a two-time All-American on the men's cross country and track & field teams, compiled a 3.97 grade-point average and graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. He earned a spot on the CSC Academic All-America First Team for the second consecutive year as a senior.

He became CC's first male track athlete to garner Indoor All-America honors with a second-place finish in the mile final at the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. He finished the race with a time of 4:14.39, just .38 of a second behind the national champion and was named the 2026 West Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year.
 
Barnes was named the 2025 SCAC Track Athlete of the Year and finished fourth in the 1500 at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. He is a six-time individual SCAC Track & Field Champion and also holds the SCAC conference record in the 800 meters.
 
In cross country, Barnes was a 2025 NCAA national qualifier and a two-time West Region honoree while helping Colorado College capture four SCAC team championships.
 
His academic work culminated in receiving Distinction in Neuroscience for Exceptional Thesis Work for his research involving the computational modeling of a drug's effects in a simulated human brain.
 
Barnes also dedicated significant time to supporting the academic success of others. He worked as a Colorado College Writing Tutor for more than three years and, during his senior year, added Educating Children of Color SAT Tutor to his service and mentorship work.
 
His commitment to his community included participation in the Monument Creek Cleanup, helping maintain community green spaces, as well as serving as a Neuroscience Outreach Volunteer, where he helped prepare posters and demonstrations designed to teach elementary school students about neurons and the human brain.
 
"This is an incredible accomplishment for both Rabbit and Alison," Colorado College track & field head coach Katie Bretscher said. "They were both instrumental in taking our cross country and track & field programs to the next level. This achievement also recognizes their dedication in the classroom and within the community. To have two athletes earn this award from the same program in the same year is such a special moment for our teams, athletic department and institution."
 
Mueller-Hickler graduated with a 3.91 cumulative grade-point average with a degree in environmental science and captured two first-team All-America honors as a senior, placing 26th at the 2025 NCAA Division III Cross Country Meet and seventh in the 10K at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She finished 10th in the 10K at the 2025 National Track & Field Meet to earn second-team All-America honors.
 
She won the SCAC Cross Country individual title last fall and captured two SCAC 10K championships. Mueller-Hickler ran in the NCAA cross country meet all four years, won the 2025 West Region title and helped Colorado College win four SCAC team championships.
 
Mueller-Hickler's athletic accomplishments also earned recognition from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, which named her a 2026 NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete.
 
In the classroom, Mueller-Hickler received Department Distinction in Environmental Science after completing a thesis on Playa Wetland Mapping in the San Luis Valley. The project sought to provide communities with greater autonomy in identifying threats to local biodiversity and ecosystems and was cited in an ERA Grant.
 
Her commitment to environmental education and research extended beyond the classroom. She completed the Earth Law Center's Signature Summer Course in 2025 after earning a full scholarship and also participated in the NSF-funded PROGRESS Women in Geosciences Conference, which provides professional and peer mentoring to undergraduate women interested in the geosciences.
 
Mueller-Hickler, who is a volunteer coach for the CC cross country and track & field teams this season, received the 2026 Laura Golden Award, presented annually to the outstanding female senior student-athlete who demonstrates excellence in athletics, academics and leadership.