As a pole vaulter, recent Colorado School of Mines graduate Hunter Potrykus was always looking to raise the bar.
Now, he’s reached a new high point — winning the 2024-25 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The conference announced Potrykus’ win in a June 24 press release, explaining how a student-athlete must maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA while participating in an RMAC-sponsored sport to be eligible.
In May 2024, Potrykus graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Mines with a 3.929 GPA. Then, this May, he earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering with a thermal fluid systems track, compiling a 4.0 GPA in the process.
According to the RMAC press release, Potrykus will be honored at the conference’s Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet July 10 in Colorado Springs.
Both the RMAC and Mines Athletics press releases said Potrykus is the third male Oredigger to receive this honor, joining distance runner Duncan Fuehne from 2023 and men’s basketball player Gokul Natesan from 2017.
According to Mines Athletics, Potrykus joined the Mines track & field program in fall 2020 and had a decorated career across both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
During his five years with the Orediggers, the Berthoud, Colorado native set multiple records and earned numerous accolades, including the 2025 RMAC Men’s Indoor Academic Athlete of the Year. He was also a five-time RMAC pole vault champion — twice for outdoors and three times for indoors.
During his final indoor season this winter, Potrykus took fourth at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships. It was his best finish at nationals and helped the Mines men’s team take home the bronze medal. It was also the team’s best-ever finish at a national meet.
For more information about Potrykus’ award or career, or to follow the Mines track & field program, visit MinesAthletics.com.