RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Kianna Le of the UC Riverside cross country and track and field programs has been named the 2025-26 Hueston M. and Margaret W. Harper Award Scholarship recipient.
Steven Harper and his brother, the late UCR professor Larry Harper, funded the scholarship in their parents' names in 2006 to provide annual scholarship support for a UCR scholar-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic achievement. Click here to read a complete history of the award.
Le has embodied the spirit of the Harper Award throughout her Highlander career, excelling in the classroom, competition and community. A stalwart teammate and consistent presence in team initiatives, she has been one of the first to volunteer for community service opportunities and currently serves as the nutrition program officer at the Riverside Free Clinic.
In competition, Le closed her final cross country season as a Highlander with personal bests in both the 5,000 meters (18:34) and 6,000 meters (22:40). On the track, she owns lifetime bests of 4:57.33 in the 1,500 meters and 18:29.73 in the 5,000 meters, marking steady progression and dedication across distance events.
Her excellence extends to the classroom, where Le maintains a 3.995 cumulative GPA and has earned recognition on the Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll.
"Kianna is one of our brightest and most dedicated student athletes," said coach Nate Browne. "She has twice earned the team's highest individual GPA award. Her smile and personality is infectious and we love having her as a part of our program."
Le's commitment to service has been a defining component of her Highlander experience. Through her work with the Riverside Free Clinic, she has helped support nutrition programming aimed at improving community health outcomes, aligning her academic interests with meaningful, hands-on impact.
Her coaches praised not only her performances on the course and track, but also her leadership and character within the program.
"Kianna has been an outstanding teammate, leader, and example of the Highlander spirit during her entire career with us at UCR," said coach
Zach Newsom. "Her compassion and friendliness and consistent willingness to serve in the community has been a bright spot for our program, in addition to her contributions on the track and cross country course. I'm thrilled for her to be receiving this honor!"
Le will be honored at today's men's basketball game against UC Davis at 2 p.m., where she will be formally recognized as this year's Harper Award recipient.
Tickets are available now at gohighlanders.com/tickets.
Click here to donate to UCR Athletics and the Hueston M. and Margaret W. Harper Award Fund and make your mark on the future of UCR student-athletes.
