Kappeler, Lambert Tabbed to C-USA All-Academic Team

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic University track & field student-athletes Madlen Kappeler and Jessica Lambert were recognized to the Conference USA All-Academic Team, as announced on Wednesday. The recognition marks Kappeler's second All-Academic award in track & field (fifth between cross country and track & field), as well as Lambert's first All-Academic Team honor.

"I'm so proud of Jessica and Madlen!" said head coach Alex Smolka. "Their accomplishments are no accident. They are the results of their daily choices and they have incredible tenacity and dedication to accomplish their goals."

Kappeler graduated a few weeks ago with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, doing so with a 3.969 GPA. The Vorderhindelang, Germany native is a four-time C-USA Academic Medal recipient and four-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member. In the fall, she plans to pursue a masters in exercise physiology.

On the track, Kappeler holds six all-time top 10 FAU showings in track & field events. Although her outdoor season was short-lived, Kappeler made the most of it. At the UNF Invite, Kappeler finished the 1500 meter run in 17:18.98, the fourth fastest time in school history. She ended the C-USA Outdoor Championships with seventh place in the 10000 meters (37:00.96). To begin this past year's indoor season, Kappeler won the 5000 meter run at the UAB Vulcan Invitational (17:43.60). At the C-USA Indoor Championship, Kappeler logged ninth in the 5000 meters with a personal record time of 17:28.22 and 16th in the 3000 meters (10:00.48).

"Goals are nothing but dreams without work ethic, consistency and incredible hard work to make them a reality," added Smolka. "Jess and Madlen achieve their goals due to their habits, making the right choices day in and day out and their belief in the process!"

Lambert is also a strong performer in the classroom and on the track. As a healthcare information systems and social work major, the second-year sophomore is a two-time C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal recipient and two-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member. She holds an impressive 3.925 GPA, as she just finished her junior year academically.

Competing in all but one track & field meet this season, Lambert has 11 FAU top-10 showings throughout indoor and outdoor season. At the C-USA Outdoor Championship, Lambert captured the bronze medal in the 800 meters for the second consecutive year with a personal-record of 2:09.31 and contributed to a sixth-place finish in the 4x400 meter relay. During indoor season, Lambert broke the school record in the 600 meters (1:33.22) at the UAB Blazer Invitational to begin the season. Her personal record of 2:10.97 she achieved in the 800 meters at the BU Bruce Lehane Scarlet & White Invitational is the second fastest indoor time in school history.

"Congrats to both of them for what they have achieved thus far, and I'm so excited to see what the future holds for both of them!" said Smolka.

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Players Mentioned

Madlen Kappeler

Jessica Lambert

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Women's XC/Track & Field versus American Indoor Champsionships on February 27, 2026 at All Day

Upcoming Event: Women's XC/Track & Field at UM Hurricane Invitational on March 21, 2026 at All Day

Upcoming Event: Women's XC/Track & Field at Raleigh Relays on March 26, 2026 at TBD

Upcoming Event: Women's XC/Track & Field at University of Miami on March 28, 2026 at All Day

Upcoming Event: Women's XC/Track & Field at Florida Relays on April 3, 2026 at All Day

Upcoming Event: Women's XC/Track & Field at UM Hurricane Collegiate Invitational on April 11, 2026 at All Day

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