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2024-25 Academic All-America® Teams and Honorees
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Canady, Distler, Kuhn and Jarvis highlight 2025 Academic All-America® Softball teams
Four talented student-athletes headline 2025 Academic All-America softball teams
Softball Release (NCAA, NAIA Divisions): PDF | doc
AUSTIN, Texas – Four standouts on the diamond and in the classroom – Texas Tech University’s
NiJaree Canady, Colorado Mesa University’s
Ally Distler, Illinois Wesleyan University’s
Jen Kuhn and Georgia Gwinnett College’s
Annalise Jarvis – highlight the 2025 Academic All-America® softball teams selected by College Sports Communicators and announced today.
Canady (Division I), Distler (Division II), Kuhn (Division III) and Jarvis (NAIA) have each been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for their respective divisions.
NCAA Division I
NiJaree Canady, a junior from Topeka, Kansas, maintains a 3.9 GPA majoring in business, and helped lead Texas Tech to the program’s first NCAA Division I Women’s College World Series berth in 2025. She was named the Big 12 Conference’s Pitcher of the Year and was the recipient of the Honda Sport Award for softball after transferring from Stanford University. She made 46 appearances in the circle with 39 starts this season. Canady finished with a 34-7 record, including two saves, to go along with a 1.11 earned run average. In 240.0 innings pitched, she struck out 319 batters and held the opposition to a .161 batting average. Canady led the nation in wins and finished second in strikeouts, games started, and ERA. She was third in strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.93).
Canady is a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) first team All-American, a two-time NFCA All-Region pick, and three-time all-conference selection (All-Pac-12 in 2023 and 2024). She is a two-time first team Academic All-America® selection.
Ten of the 34 members of the Academic All-America Division I softball teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The 11 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.73.
In addition to Canady, three additional student-athletes are repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division I softball team –
Jordyn Bahl (University of Nebraska),
Shaylon Govan (Baylor University), and
Dakota Kennedy (University of Arizona).
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Lexie Brady |
University of Mississippi |
3.96 |
Sr. |
Exercise Science |
| DP |
Sydney Shaffer |
University of Delaware |
3.93 |
Jr. |
Elementary Teacher Education |
| IF |
Taylor Pannell |
University of Tennessee |
3.56 |
So. |
Sport Management |
| IF |
Paige Sinicki |
University of Oregon |
3.77 |
Sr. |
Human Physiology |
| IF |
Miah McDonald |
Marist University |
3.70/3.71 |
Sr. |
Biology |
| IF |
Mya Perez |
Texas A&M University |
3.51 |
So. |
Sport Management |
| OF |
Rachel Roupe |
Liberty University |
3.84 |
Sr. |
Public Health |
| OF |
Kedre Luschar |
University of Oregon |
3.63 |
Sr. |
Business Administration & General Social Science |
| OF |
Kasidi Pickering |
University of Oklahoma |
3.55 |
So. |
Business |
| P |
NiJaree Canady (1) |
Texas Tech University |
3.90 |
Jr. |
Business |
| P |
Jordyn Bahl (5) |
University of Nebraska |
3.64 |
Jr. |
Human Development & Family Sciences |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Sophia Nugent |
University of Tennessee |
3.79 |
Sr. |
Sociology |
| DP |
Morgan Frye |
The Ohio State University |
3.92/4.00 |
Gr. |
Environmental Assessment |
| IF |
Arianna Rodi |
University of South Carolina |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Services Management |
| IF |
Jade Hylton |
University of Virginia |
3.64 |
Jr. |
Kinesiology |
| IF |
Haley Ahr |
Marist University |
3.75 |
Jr. |
Psychology |
| IF |
Isa Torres |
Florida State University |
3.56 |
So. |
Media & Communications |
| IF |
Shaylon Govan (1) |
Baylor University |
3.76/3.79 |
Gr. |
Community Health Science |
| IF |
Katie Stewart |
The University of Texas at Austin |
3.68 |
So. |
Corporate Communication |
| OF |
Dakota Kennedy (1) |
University of Arizona |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Criminal Justice Studies |
| OF |
Kennedy Harp |
Florida State University |
3.78 |
So. |
Digital Production |
| OF |
Kai Luschar |
University of Oregon |
3.72 |
Sr. |
General Social Science |
| P |
Karlyn Pickens |
University of Tennessee |
3.64 |
Jr. |
Sport Management |
| P |
Allison Benning |
University of North Florida |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Communications |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Laurel Moody |
Brown University |
3.57 |
Sr. |
Neuroscience |
| C |
Lexi Winters |
University of South Carolina |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Psychology |
| DP |
KK Mathis |
Duke University |
3.58 |
Jr. |
Sociology |
| IF |
Ailana Agbayani |
University of Oklahoma |
3.53 |
Jr. |
Multidisciplinary Studies |
| IF |
Kate Lappe |
University of Northern Iowa |
3.72 |
Jr. |
Accounting & Finance |
| OF |
Jessica Clements |
UCLA |
3.58/4.00 |
Gr. |
Education |
| OF |
Morgan Hess |
University of Delaware |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Criminal Justice |
| OF |
Raigan Kramer |
University of Arkansas |
4.00/4.00 |
Sr. |
Rec. & Sports Mgmt. (U) / Construction Mgmt. (G) |
| P |
Reese Basinger |
Clemson University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Biological Sciences |
| P |
Nicolette Picone |
Coastal Carolina University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Psychology |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2024
(5) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2023
NCAA Division II
Ally Distler is now in graduate school in physical therapy and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, both as an undergrad and graduate student. The native of Littleton, Colorado, helped lead Colorado Mesa to its third regional appearance in five years and a 40-17 record. The Mavericks’ catcher is a three-time D2CCA All-South Central Region and NFCA All-Region selection. She earned second team D2CCA All-America honors in 2024.
She is a four-time All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) selection - first team (2022, 2024, 2025) and second team in 2021. She is a three-time Academic All-America® honoree - first team (2024 and 2025) and second team (2022).
Distler batted .318 and started all 57 games this year. She socked 16 home runs, 12 doubles, one triple, scored 50 runs, and drove in 56.
In addition to Distler, six student-athletes are repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division II softball team –
Macauley Bailey (Carson-Newman University),
Sam Schott (University of Texas at Tyler),
Savanna Brooks (Wingate University),
Sydney Watson (Converse University),
Heather Arnett (Pittsburg State University), and
Natalia Mallozzi (Gannon University). Distler and Brooks are three-time selections.
Thirteen of the 33 members of the Academic All-America® Division II softball teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The 11 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.93.
The Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 Division II Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Ally Distler (1) (8) |
Colorado Mesa University |
4.00/4.00 |
Gr. |
Psychology (U) / Physical Therapy (G) |
| DP |
Emma Little |
Bloomsburg |
3.88 |
Sr. |
Early Childhood Education |
| IF |
Macauley Bailey (2) |
Carson-Newman |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Psychology |
| IF |
Sam Schott (2) |
University of Texas at Tyler |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Biochemistry |
| IF |
Savanna Brooks (1) (4) |
Wingate University |
4.00/4.00 |
Sr. |
Biology (U) / Sport Management (G) |
| IF |
Madison Primm |
Lenoir-Rhyne University |
3.89 |
So. |
Marketing |
| OF |
Kayla Rodgers |
Concordia University Irvine |
3.96/3.96 |
Gr. |
Counseling (G) |
| OF |
Danielle Jason |
Tusculum University |
3.95/4.00 |
Sr. |
Sport Management (G) |
| OF |
Sophia Luetticke |
Drury University |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Marketing |
| P |
Gisselle Garcia |
Pace University |
3.71 |
Sr. |
Criminal Justice |
| P |
Emilee Boyer |
West Texas A&M University |
3.83 |
Jr. |
General Business |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Lani Warren |
Lenoir-Rhyne University |
3.97 |
So. |
Psychology |
| DP |
Taylor Thompson |
University of Central Missouri |
3.76 |
So. |
Occupational Safety |
| IF |
Maleah Andrews |
Western Washington University |
3.83/3.83 |
So. |
Public Health |
| IF |
Aniston Gano |
Valdosta State University |
3.83/3.90 |
Sr. |
Physical Education (G) |
| IF |
Brooke Holmes |
St. Cloud State |
3.94 |
So. |
Business Economics & Finance |
| IF |
Kary Hales |
Catawba College |
3.97 |
Sr. |
Sports Medicine |
| OF |
Madisyn Leffle |
Jessup University |
4.00/4.00 |
Gr. |
Counseling Psychology |
| OF |
Abigail Weirich |
East Stroudsburg University |
3.56 |
Sr. |
Exercise Science |
| OF |
Katie Dillon |
St. Edward's University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Criminal Justice |
| OF |
Emily Konz |
Francis Marion University |
3.77 |
Sr. |
Accounting |
| P |
Heidi Vortherms |
West Texas A&M University |
4.00/4.00 |
Sr. |
Sports & Exercise Science |
| P |
Grace Glanzer |
Augustana (S.D.) |
3.87 |
Gr. |
Elementary Education |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Delaney Ridgell |
East Stroudsburg University |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Political Science |
| DP |
Sydney Watson (2) |
Converse University |
3.67 |
Sr. |
Elementary Education |
| IF |
Miia Campos |
University of Texas at Tyler |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Criminal Justice |
| IF |
Heather Arnett (1) |
Pittsburg State University |
3.78 |
Jr. |
Elementary Education |
| IF |
Brianna Gallagher |
Catawba College |
3.73 |
Jr. |
Psychology |
| IF |
Natalia Mallozzi (3) |
Gannon University |
3.99/4.00 |
Gr. |
Exercise Science (U) / Business Analytics (G) |
| OF |
Tatiana Trotter |
Angelo State |
3.73 |
Jr. |
Intelligence & Analysis |
| OF |
Leah Oberkehr |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
3.96 |
Jr. |
Civil Engineering |
| P |
Joni Russell |
Hillsdale College |
3.64 |
Sr. |
Exercise Science |
| P |
Kaylee Davis |
University of Texas at Tyler |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Criminal Justice |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2024
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2024
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2024
(4) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2023
(8) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2022
NCAA Division III
Jen Kuhn, a senior shortstop from Normal, Illinois, maintained a 3.98 GPA as a graphics design major. She started in all 46 games and led the team with a .449 batting average with 70 hits, 17 doubles, 57 runs batted in, 111 total bases, and had a .712 slugging percentage as well as a .473 on-base percentage. Kuhn was second on the team with 38 runs scored and eight home runs. She helped lead the Titans to an undefeated regular season (16-0) in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), which was the first time that happened since 2009. The Titans won their seventh region title and advanced to the super regional round for the first time since 2019.
Kuhn earned NFCA first team All-America and All-Region VIII honors this year. She also took home the 2025 NFCA Rawlings Gold Glove award and was named the CCIW Defensive Player of the Year. Kuhn helped lead the Titans three conference regular and post season titles and three NCAA Division III Tournament berths. She is a three-time CCIW first team pick (2023, 2024, 2025) and earned second team honors in 2022.
Eight of the 33 members of the Academic All-America® Division III softball teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The 12 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.88.
In addition to Kuhn, seven additional student-athletes are repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division III softball team –
KaiLi Gross (Case Western Reserve University),
Brynn Nelson and
Kaili Saathoff (Linfield University),
Alexis Michon (Trine University),
Jess Pozezinski (Concordia University Wisconsin),
Mary Frances Eillis (East Texas Baptist University), and
Mackenzie Bivin (MIT). Gross is a four-time selection while Saathoff, Ellis, and Bivin are three-time honorees. Saathoff was the 2024 Division III Softball Team Member of the Year.
The Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 Division III Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Annabelle Calderon |
Denison University |
3.78 |
Sr. |
Biology |
| DP |
Lyndsey Roth |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
3.89 |
Sr. |
Health & Fitness Studies |
| IF |
Jen Kuhn (1) |
Illinois Wesleyan University |
3.98 |
Sr. |
Graphic Design |
| IF |
KaiLi Gross (1) (4) (9) |
Case Western Reserve University |
3.97/4.00 |
Gr. |
Biomedical Engineering |
| IF |
Ellie Jones |
Belhaven University |
3.95 |
Sr. |
Chemistry |
| IF |
Megan Heidelbauer |
Simpson College |
3.92 |
Jr. |
Environmental Science |
| IF |
Brynn Nelson (1) |
Linfield University |
3.97 |
Sr. |
Mathematics & Economics |
| OF |
Jessica Remm |
Alfred University |
3.93 |
Jr. |
Political Science/Criminal Justice |
| OF |
Annie Kay |
Texas Lutheran University |
3.69 |
Jr. |
Business |
| OF |
Ashlyn Steen |
Simpson College |
3.96 |
Jr. |
Political Science |
| P |
Gracie Ellis |
Randolph-Macon College |
3.75 |
Sr. |
Nursing |
| P |
Alexis Michon (2) |
Trine University |
3.79 |
Sr. |
Elementary Education |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Katelyn Lamm |
Case Western Reserve University |
3.90 |
Sr. |
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering |
| DP |
Serena Gonzalez |
Texas Lutheran University |
3.55 |
Jr. |
Kinesiology |
| IF |
Kaili Saathoff (1) (5) |
Linfield University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Mathematics & Physics |
| IF |
Jess Pozezinski (1) |
Concordia Wisconsin |
3.81 |
Sr. |
Nursing |
| IF |
Payton MacNair |
Rowan University |
3.83/3.83 |
Gr. |
Health & Physical Education |
| OF |
Gabbie Stallbaum |
Heidelberg University |
3.99 |
Sr. |
Health Science |
| OF |
Sydney Fellows |
Wartburg College |
3.96 |
Sr. |
Mathematics |
| OF |
Mary Frances Eillis (1) (6) |
East Texas Baptist University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Accounting & Finance |
| OF |
Emma Lee |
Trine University |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Elementary Education |
| P |
Emma Bullin |
Pfeiffer University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Special Education |
| P |
Emma Woodhouse |
Dominican University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Neuroscience & Chemistry |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Olivia Hebert |
Edgewood College |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Biology & Environmental Science |
| DP |
Bri Melchionda |
UMass Boston |
3.72/3.72 |
Gr. |
Business Administration |
| IF |
Laci Campbell |
Virginia Wesleyan University |
3.84 |
Jr. |
Sociology & Criminal Justice |
| IF |
Mackenzie Bivin (3) (4) |
MIT |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Business Analytics & Economics |
| IF |
Liz McCaffery |
Rowan University |
3.75 |
Sr. |
Sports Communication & Media |
| IF |
Ava Khoury |
Illinois Wesleyan University |
3.54 |
Sr. |
Kinesiology & Allied Health |
| OF |
Ashley Chu |
Emory University |
3.91 |
Jr. |
Nursing |
| OF |
Kristyn Carroll |
Middlebury College |
3.78 |
Jr. |
Earth & Climate Sciences |
| P |
Jamie Martin |
Christopher Newport University |
3.86 |
Sr. |
Neuroscience |
| P |
Paige Forry |
Gettysburg College |
3.62 |
Sr. |
Psychology |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2024
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2024
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2024
(4) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2023
(5) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2023
(6) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2023
(9) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2022
NAIA
Annalise Jarvis is a senior from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and maintains a 3.92 GPA in business management. The 2024 and 2025 Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Pitcher and Player of the Year led the Grizzlies to a 48-10 record, 9-0 conference record and fourth-place finish at the NAIA Softball World Series. Jarvis is a three-time NFCA first team All-American at Georgia Gwinnett and earned the same honor as a freshman at Bryan College in 2022. She was named the NAIA National Pitcher of the Year in 2023. Jarvis is a four-time NAIA All-American with three first team honors at Georgia Gwinnett and a second team accolade at Bryan. She is a four-time NFCA All-Region pick (three at Georgia Gwinnett and once at Bryan) and a three-time All-CAC first team selection.
Jarvis became the seventh pitcher in NAIA history to strike out more than 1,000 batters in her career. The standout pitcher had a remarkable final year in the program as she posted a 25-3 record with five saves, and a 0.93 earned run average. In 196.2 innings pitched she struck out 266 batters. She finished third in the nation in strikeouts and fourth in ERA.
Four of the 23 members of the Academic All-America® NAIA softball teams boast a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The 12 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.825.
In addition to Jarvis, three additional student-athletes are repeat selections on the Academic All-America® NAIA softball team –
Carly Oliver (University of the Cumberlands),
Chapel Cunningham (Southeastern University), and
Kacie Schmidt (Oregon Institute of Technology).
The NAIA Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NAIA national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 NAIA Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Elena Montoya |
Friends University |
3.83 |
Jr. |
Conservation Science |
| C |
Grace Meyer |
Marian University |
3.69 |
Sr. |
Elementary Education |
| DP |
Cameryn Davidson |
Shawnee State University |
3.59/3.92 |
Sr. |
Occupational Therapy (G) |
| IF |
Carly Oliver (1) (4) |
University of the Cumberlands |
3.85/4.00 |
Gr. |
Nursing |
| IF |
Elizabeth Palumbo |
Central Methodist University |
3.82/3.82 |
Jr. |
Exercise Science |
| IF |
Chapel Cunningham (2) |
Southeastern University |
3.73 |
Sr. |
Medical Sciences |
| IF |
Kenna Mayfield |
Evangel University |
3.98 |
Jr. |
Allied Health |
| OF |
Fiona Crane |
Saint Xavier University |
3.80 |
Jr. |
Elementary Education |
| OF |
Aubrey Wroble |
Saint Xavier University |
3.93 |
So. |
Communications |
| OF |
Kailer Fulton |
Southern Oregon University |
3.69 |
Sr. |
Healthcare Administration |
| P |
Annalise Jarvis (1) |
Georgia Gwinnett College |
3.92 |
Sr. |
Business Management |
| P |
Kacie Schmidt (3) |
Oregon Tech |
3.88/3.59 |
Sr. |
Civil Engineering |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| DP |
Lizzy Small |
Keiser University |
3.85 |
Sr. |
Criminal Justice |
| IF |
Leah Salas |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
3.55 |
Jr. |
Global Security & Intelligence Studies |
| IF |
Ellie Facklam |
Evangel University |
3.74 |
Sr. |
Early Childhood Education |
| IF |
Madison Roberts |
Central Methodist University |
3.85 |
Jr. |
Nursing |
| IF |
Livie Lehmann |
Taylor University |
3.81 |
Jr. |
Sport Management |
| OF |
Priscilla Mora |
Friends University |
3.93 |
Sr. |
Human Services & Psychology |
| OF |
Mackenzi Harrel |
Morningside University |
3.97 |
So. |
Biology |
| OF |
Paige Schuster |
Morningside University |
4.00 |
So. |
Psychology |
| P |
Lindsey Shope |
University of the Cumberlands |
3.88/4.00 |
Gr. |
Elementary Education |
| P |
Riley Wertz |
Friends University |
3.93 |
Sr. |
Health & Physical Education |
| P |
Kailynn James |
Georgia Gwinnett College |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Biology |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2024
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2024
(3) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2023
(4) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Schwartz, Retired, North Dakota State University | Academic All-America® Co-Director for Publicity
schwartzy2@yahoo.com | (701) 793-0538
John Jordan, Flagler College | Academic All-America® Coordinator of Publicity |
jjordan@flagler.edu| (904) 819-6465