MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Keeley Behr has been named recipient of the 2025 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women's Cross Country Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
Behr, a senior from Aurora, Ill. (Metea Valley), is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology and sustains a 3.98 grade point average. She secured a spot on the 2025 NCAA Division III Academic All-District® Women's Cross Country/Track & Field Team, selected by the College Sports Communicators. Behr is a three-time member of the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team and WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. In 2024, she received the ACS Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry. Behr has been recognized on UW-Eau Claire's Dean's List numerous semesters and received academic scholarships.
 
She is a three-time national qualifier and two-time All-Region selection, finishing ninth at the regional meet in 2024 and 14th in 2023. Behr has claimed all-conference recognition four times, including first team honors last year with a sixth-place finish, second team status in 2023 with a ninth-place finish and honorable mention in 2022 after placing 20th and 2025 with a 17th-place finish. She is a team captain this season and was selected her team's Most Valuable Player in 2024.
 
Behr is a member of the University Honors College and a chemistry and biochemistry tutor, as well as a course grader for analytical chemistry. In 2024, she was a biology lab assistant.
 
Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse's Lucy Duchac (Sr., Sussex, Wis./Hartland Arrowhead); UW-Oshkosh's Gwen Feitl (Sr., Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South); UW-Platteville's Ava Garrard (Jr., Donahue, Iowa/North Scott); UW-River Falls' Peyton Opsahl (Sr., Zimmerman, Minn./Zimmerman); UW-Stevens Point's Natalie Johnson (Sr., Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie); UW-Stout's Bryanna Hoffman (So., Eau Claire, Wis./Eau Claire Memorial); and UW-Whitewater's Katie Erb (Sr., Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago).
 
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman, who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she was Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) from October 1984 - September 1996. Kruckman was the women's athletics director at UW-Eau Claire from 1974-84, and one of the original representatives to the WWIAC when it formed in 1971.
 
In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, she must be in her last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations, and community service projects.