Frere '26 named Augustana's 179th Academic All-American

Charlotte Frere '26 has been named to the 2023-24 women's track & field/cross country Academic All-American Team, selected by College Sports Communicators. She is the 179th Academic All-American honoree in Augustana history and the first for the women's track & field program since 2018.

"This honor is one of the hardest awards to receive in athletics and for her to earn this as a sophomore speaks to her work and performance in the classroom and in the ring," said Chad Gunnelson, director of Augustana track & field/cross country.

Frere, from Preemption, Ill., took home the national title this past season in discus, becoming Augustana's first women's track and field outdoor national champion since Meghan Voiland '07 McMillan won the pole vault competition in 2007. Frere posted 50.27 meters (164 feet and 11 inches) in her second attempt for first place by one centimeter, also securing a new personal best by .25 meters (9 inches).

Frere qualified for nationals in both her first-year and sophomore seasons and is a two-time All-CCIW recipient in discus and a First Team performer in the javelin. Additionally, she earned All-Region honors in both 2023 and 2024.

A double major in biology and kinesiology, Frere is on the pre-physician assistant path. She has earned Dean's List recognition every semester at Augustana and was the 2024 Spring CCIW Jack Swartz Award winner to go with Academic All-Conference. She holds a 3.94 GPA and has also earned USTFCCCA All-Academic recognition during her collegiate career.

"Being a varsity athlete and doing well in class is something I've been doing for years so I'm somewhat used to it, but this year proved to be extra challenging," Frere said. "I took the hardest class of my education yet and had to make a lot of sacrifices outside of school and track. I didn't always get to go have dinner with my friends, play in intramural games or go to movie nights. Instead I would have to go straight to the library until it closed.

"There really is no secret, other than having to consistently prioritize school and sport. I'm not always happy with my choices, but I know that this is why I'm here, and I can't get to where I want to be unless I do it this way." 

Frere added that having friends who share the same priorities as her was a huge help as well as her parents checking in to help her reprioritize when things got blurry.

"What sets Charlotte apart is her genuine nature and dedication," Gunnelson added. "She inspires me because of her authenticity and intuitive approach to being a great teammate, competitor, athlete and student. We’re proud of her, and there is much more yet to do!"

Frere's goals for the next two years are what they have been for the past two: just do the best she can. 

"With a demanding major and intense track seasons, I know I'm in for a roller coaster and might fall short sometimes," she said. "In a perfect world being an All-American for the next couple years, both athletic and academic, is the goal because now I know it's attainable. But at the end of the day, if I prioritized things as I should have and worked as hard as I could, then there's not much more I can do." 

This is the second straight academic year Augustana has been represented on an Academic All-American team. Daniel Carr '23 from men's basketball was honored in 2023. 

Augustana's 179 Academic All-Americans ranks seventh in all of Division III and 13th among all NCAA institutions.