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2025-26 Academic All-America® Teams and Honorees
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Canady, Lemos, Adams and Rayburn highlight 2026 Academic All-America® Softball teams
Four talented student-athletes lead 2026 Softball Academic All-America® teams as Team Members of the Year; Canady repeats as Team Member of the Year in DI
Softball Release (NCAA, NAIA Divisions): PDF | doc
GREENWOOD, Indiana – College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Tuesday the 2026 Academic All-America® softball teams for NCAA Division I-II-III and NAIA, headlined by, Texas Tech University’s
NiJaree Canady,
Rylee Lemos from the University of Central Oklahoma, Virginia Wesleyan University’s
Emma Adams, and
Analise Rayburn of Oklahoma City University.
Canady (Division I), Lemos (Division II), Adams (Division III) and Rayburn (NAIA) have each been named the Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year award winner for their respective divisions.
NCAA Division I
A senior pitcher from Topeka, Kansas,
NiJaree Canady repeats as the Division I Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year. An applied personal finance major, she carries a 3.68 GPA and earns her third consecutive First Team Academic All-America® honor. She helped Texas Tech to its second consecutive NCAA Women’s College World Series final in 2026. She was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Second Team going 29-7 with two saves in the circle. Her 29 victories ranked fourth in NCAA Division I. Canady was named to the USA Softball Top 10 Player of the Year Watchlist after appearing in 46 games and compiling 190 2-3 innings with a 1.87 ERA and 253 strikeouts. She was named the Co-Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, All-Big 12 First Team, and All-Big 12 Defensive Team. She ended the season as one of two Division I pitchers with 1,000 career strikeouts. In May, Canaday was selected second overall by the Texas Volts in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League College Draft.
Canaday was one of 16 players named to the Division I Academic All-America® softball team representing six of the eight teams competing at the 2026 Women’s College World Series. National champion Texas had two players selected while runner-up Texas Tech had three. Alabama and Nebraska each had four players named, Tennessee placed two and Arkansas had one.
Four of the 33 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 3.82, with the entire Division I team holding a collective average GPA of 3.83.
In addition to Canady, five other student-athletes were repeat selections on the Academic All-America® Division I team,
Jordyn (Bahl) Frahm (University of Nebraska),
Dakota Kennedy (University of Arkansas),
Karlyn Pickens (University of Tennessee),
Katie Stewart (University of Texas at Austin), and
Isa Torres (Florida State University). Kennedy earns her third Academic All-America® honor after being named to second team last season and was a first team selection during the 2024 season. Frahm (Bahl), was a first team selection last season and a second team honoree in 2023.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Marlie Giles |
University of Alabama |
3.92 |
Sr. |
Kinesiology |
| DP |
Alexis Pupillo |
University of Alabama |
3.99 |
So. |
Human Environmental Sciences |
| IF |
Jackie Lis |
Texas Tech University |
3.70 |
Jr. |
Accounting |
| IF |
Katie Stewart (2) |
University of Texas |
3.53 |
Jr. |
Corporate Communication |
| IF |
Isa Torres (2) |
Florida State |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Media Communication Studies |
| IF |
Mia Williams |
Texas Tech University |
3.86 |
Jr. |
Human Sciences |
| OF |
Sarah Gordon |
University of Georgia |
3.89 |
Jr. |
Exercise & Sport Science |
| OF |
Dakota Kennedy (2)(4) |
University of Arkansas |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Spanish |
| OF |
Taylor Shumaker |
University of Florida |
3.68 |
So. |
Telecommunications |
| P |
NiJaree Canady (1)(4) |
Texas Tech University |
3.68 |
Sr. |
Applied Personal Finance |
| P |
Maya Johnson |
Belmont University |
3.79/3.77 |
Sr. |
Nursing |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Bri Despines |
University of Louisville |
3.93 |
Sr. |
Business Administration |
| DP |
Courtney Poulich |
Robert Morris |
3.68 |
Jr. |
Health Science |
| IF |
Tayler Biehl |
University of Arizona |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Nutrition |
| IF |
Kenleigh Cahalan |
University of Florida |
3.95 |
Sr. |
Education Sciences |
| IF |
Emily LeGette |
University of North Carolina |
3.68 |
Jr. |
Exercise & Sport Science & Sport Administration |
| IF |
Keirstin Roose |
University of Georgia |
3.96 |
Gr. |
Kinesiology (G) |
| IF |
Brooke Wells |
University of Alabama |
3.62 |
So. |
Sport Management |
| OF |
Hannah Camenzind |
University of Nebraska |
3.56 |
Sr. |
Child, Youth & Family Studies |
| OF |
Kacie Hoffmann |
University of Nebraska |
3.69/3.89 |
Sr. |
Child, Youth & Family Studies (U) / Strategic Marketing (G) |
| OF |
Peyton Pusey |
Marist University |
3.88 |
Sr. |
Media Studies & Production |
| P |
Jordyn Frahm (4)(8) |
University of Nebraska |
3.66/3.66 |
Sr. |
Child, Youth & Family Studies (U) |
| P |
Karlyn Pickens (2) |
University of Tennessee |
3.94 |
Sr. |
Sport Management |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Jesse Farrell |
University of Nebraska |
3.61 |
Jr. |
Psychology |
| DP |
Haley Painter |
Purdue University |
3.80/4.00 |
Gr. |
Healthcare Quality Improvement (U) |
| IF |
Macee Eaton |
University of Virginia |
3.64 |
Jr. |
Youth & Social Innovation |
| IF |
Viviana Martinez |
University of Texas |
3.91 |
Jr. |
Applied Movement Science |
| IF |
Lizzie Stiverson |
Eastern Illinois University |
3.88 |
Sr. |
Exercise Science |
| OF |
Hailey Conger |
Butler University |
3.96 |
Sr. |
Speech, Hearing & Language Sciences & Psychology |
| OF |
Madison Pickens |
University of Louisville |
3.98 |
So. |
Psychology |
| OF |
Jena Rhoads |
Northern Kentucky University |
3.98 |
Sr. |
Nursing |
| P |
Jocelyn Briski |
University of Alabama |
3.96 |
Jr. |
Kinesiology |
| P |
Sage Mardjetko |
University of Tennessee |
3.93 |
Jr. |
Biological Sciences, Biochemistry & Cellular & Molecular Biology |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2025
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2025
(4) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2024
(8) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2023
NCAA Division II
Rylee Lemos, a senior outfielder from South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, has a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in human resource management. She was named Second Team NFCA All-American after batting .404 in 62 games this season. Among all NCAA Division II players, her 72 RBIs ranked ninth and her 67 runs scored were 10th. She also hit 15 home runs to go along with 19 doubles and seven triples while stealing 16 bases. She was named the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Central Region Player of the Year and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Player of the Year. She was recognized as a Third Team All-American by the D2CCA. She was selected as the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year and the MIAA Student-Athletes of the Year. Lemon set program records for career runs and triples while being named to the NFCA and D2CCA All-Region First Team.
Fourteen of the 33 members of the Academic All-America® Division II softball teams sustain an unblemished 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The 11 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.91, with the entire Division II team maintaining a collective average GPA of 3.90.
Six student-athletes repeated on the Academic All-America® Division II team
Maleah Andrews (Western Washington University),
Heather Arnett (Pittsburg State University),
Macauley Bailey (Carson-Newman),
Delaney Ridgell (East Stroudsburg University),
Taylor Thompson (University of Central Missouri), and
Tatiana Trotter (Angelo State). It is the third selection for Arnett and Bailey. Arnett earned third team honors in 2025 and first team honors in 2024, while Bailey was named to the first team last season and second team in 2024.
The Division II Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Division II Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Delaney Ridgell (3) |
East Stroudsburg University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Political Science |
| DP |
Kimberly Torres |
Felician University |
3.70 |
So. |
Communications |
| IF |
Heather Arnett (3)(4) |
Pittsburg State University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
General Studies |
| IF |
Macauley Bailey (1)(5) |
Carson-Newman |
4.00/3.83 |
Sr. |
Psychology |
| IF |
Lauren Harris |
McKendree University |
3.80 |
Sr. |
Exercise Science & Sports Performance |
| IF |
Alyssa Woelfel |
Winona State University |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Marketing |
| OF |
Chloe Baynes |
Auburn University at Montgomery |
3.97 |
Jr. |
Communication Disorders |
| OF |
Rylee Lemos |
University of Central Oklahoma |
3.70 |
Sr. |
Human Resource Management |
| OF |
Brooklyn Willis |
University of Indianapolis |
3.88 |
Jr. |
Nursing |
| P |
Gwen McGinnis |
University of Tampa |
3.92 |
Sr. |
Allied Health |
| P |
Jenna Walling |
Francis Marion University |
3.74/4.00 |
Sr. |
Business Administration (G) |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Taryn Barney |
University of Texas at Tyler |
3.92 |
Sr. |
Criminal Justice |
| DP |
Olivia Watkins |
Auburn University at Montgomery |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Kinesiology |
| IF |
Maleah Andrews (2) |
Western Washington University |
3.69 |
So. |
Public Health |
| IF |
Mia Johnson |
University of Wisconsin - Parkside |
3.89 |
Sr. |
Sports Management |
| IF |
Hannah Taylor |
Eckerd College |
3.88 |
Jr. |
Psychology |
| IF |
Carsen Tinkler |
Missouri Southern State University |
4.00/4.00 |
Sr. |
Marketing & Finance (U) / Data Analytics (G) |
| OF |
Bailey Dillon |
Missouri Southern State University |
3.96 |
So. |
Exercise Science |
| OF |
Alyssa Gutierrez |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs |
3.96 |
Sr. |
Inclusive Elementary Education |
| OF |
Jessica Miller |
Tiffin University |
4.00 |
So. |
Justice Advocacy |
| OF |
Makenzie Sais |
Washburn University |
4.00 |
So. |
Forensic Investigation |
| OF |
Tatiana Trotter (3) |
Angelo State |
3.63 |
Sr. |
Intelligence & Analysis |
| P |
Jayda Berg |
Winona State University |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Allied Health |
| P |
Marissa Quintero |
Cal State East Bay |
3.77 |
Jr. |
Kinesiology |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Taylor Thompson (2) |
University of Central Missouri |
3.67/4.00 |
Jr. |
Occupational Safety |
| DP |
Haley Gardella |
Cameron University |
3.66 |
So. |
Sports & Exercise Science |
| IF |
Rebecca Komers |
Auburn University at Montgomery |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Criminal Justice |
| IF |
Taylor Nelson |
Missouri S&T |
3.91 |
Jr. |
Biomedical Engineering |
| IF |
Delaney Patella |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Fashion Studies |
| IF |
Kinsley Proepper |
East Stroudsburg University |
4.00 |
So. |
Exercise Science |
| OF |
Andrea Cain |
Augustana University (SD) |
3.86 |
Sr. |
Athletic Training |
| P |
McKenna James |
Colorado State University Pueblo |
3.93 |
Sr. |
Marketing |
| P |
Madelayne Ruffner |
Shepherd University |
3.78 |
Jr. |
Elementary Education |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2025
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2025
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2025
(4) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2024
(5) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2024
NCAA Division III
A pitcher from Winterville, North Carolina,
Emma Adams is a senior with a 3.94 GPA while majoring in sports and recreation management. She was named to the NFCA All-American First Team and earned the program’s first Rawlings Gold Glove Award ®, presented by the NFCA. Adams finished the season with a 23-1 record with two saves. She led NCAA Division III in strikeout-to-walk ration with 13.71. She also ranked second in the nation with a 0.63 ERA and 0.40 walks allowed per seven innings and was third in WHIP (0.73). She recorded 96 strikeouts over 29 appearances and 121 1-3 innings pitched. She helped lead the program to 50 consecutive victories to begin the season and advance to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Finals. She was named First Team All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference and NFCA All-Region First Team.
Five of the 33 members of the Academic All-America® Division III softball teams claim a perfect 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate courses. The 11 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.91, with the entire Division III team retaining a collective average GPA of 3.85.
Seven student-athletes earned repeat honors on the Academic All-America® Division III team
Laci Campbell (Virginia Wesleyan University),
Kristyn Carroll (Middlebury College),
Ashley Chu (Emory University),
Serena Gonzalez (Texas Lutheran University),
Megan Heidelbauer (Simpson College),
Emma Lee (Trine University), and
Ashlyn Steen (Simpson College).
The Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Division III Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Ashlyn Aven |
Linfield University |
3.70 |
Sr. |
Exercise Science & Secondary Physical Education |
| DP |
Lauryn Horita |
Tufts University |
3.92 |
Sr. |
Biology |
| IF |
Laci Campbell (3) |
Virginia Wesleyan University |
3.75 |
Sr. |
Sociology & Criminal Justice |
| IF |
Megan Heidelbauer (1) |
Simpson College |
3.93 |
Sr. |
Environmental Science |
| IF |
Makayla Menchue |
East Texas Baptist University |
3.96 |
Jr. |
Kinesiology |
| IF |
Karen Potts |
Case Western Reserve University |
3.97 |
Jr. |
Psychology |
| OF |
Emma Lee (2) |
Trine University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Elementary Education & Special Education |
| OF |
Meara Sain |
Linfield University |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Exercise Science |
| OF |
Ashlyn Steen (1) |
Simpson College |
3.97 |
Sr. |
Political Science |
| P |
Emma Adams |
Virginia Wesleyan University |
3.94 |
Sr. |
Sports & Recreation Management |
| P |
Avery Holland |
East Texas Baptist University |
3.87 |
Jr. |
Speech Language Pathology |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Taylor Vannett |
Texas Lutheran University |
3.96 |
Sr. |
Kinesiology |
| DP |
Serena Gonzalez (2) |
Texas Lutheran University |
3.61 |
Sr. |
Kinesiology |
| IF |
Madison DeCota |
Norwich University |
3.91 |
Jr. |
Exercise Science |
| IF |
Melissa Dietz |
University of Wisconsin-Platteville |
3.96 |
Sr. |
Health & Human Performance |
| IF |
Sarah Hough |
Westfield State University |
3.69 |
Sr. |
Psychology |
| IF |
Kaia Mismash |
Lake Forest College |
3.52 |
Jr. |
Neuroscience |
| OF |
Clare Rettler |
Carthage College |
3.96 |
Sr. |
Exercise & Sport Science & Psychology |
| OF |
Landry Stewart |
Pfeiffer University |
3.57 |
Sr. |
Health & Physical Education |
| OF |
Cara Taylor |
Muskingum University |
3.94 |
Sr. |
General Engineering |
| P |
Piper Kinney |
Simmons University |
3.99 |
Sr. |
Neuroscience & Behavior |
| P |
Emily McCutcheon |
Rowan University |
3.70 |
Sr. |
Psychology |
| THIRD TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Mady Lyons |
Johnson & Wales |
3.50 |
Jr. |
Exercise & Sports Science |
| DP |
Emma Coldsnow |
Stockton University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Chemistry |
| IF |
Jordan Anderson |
John Carroll University |
3.98/4.00 |
Gr. |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (G) |
| IF |
Maddie Flanery |
LeTourneau University |
3.85 |
Sr. |
Kinesiology |
| IF |
Haley Leimbach |
Tufts University |
3.90 |
Sr. |
Mechanical Engineering |
| IF |
Megan McGinnis |
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
3.72/3.97 |
Jr. |
Psychology & Public Relations & Digital Media |
| OF |
Kristyn Carroll (3) |
Middlebury College |
3.72 |
Sr. |
Earth & Climate Sciences |
| OF |
Ashley Chu (3) |
Emory University |
3.94 |
Sr. |
Nursing |
| OF |
Sarah Prosser |
Virginia Wesleyan University |
3.76/4.00 |
Sr. |
Business Administration (G) |
| P |
Katelyn Howard |
Texas Lutheran University |
3.63 |
Sr. |
Kinesiology |
| P |
Maya Knasiak |
The College of New Jersey |
3.79 |
Jr. |
Mechanical Engineering |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2025
(2) – 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2025
(3) – 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2025
NAIA
A native of Yukon, Oklahoma,
Analise Rayburn holds an unblemished 4.0 GPA while pursuing her degree in data analytics. The junior shortstop was unanimously named the NFCA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. She led the NAIA in home runs (26) and RBIs (101) for the second consecutive year as she became the first player in NAIA history to record consecutive 100-RBI seasons. She also ranked second in the NAIA in total bases (183) and slugging percentage (1.005), fourth in runs (74) and fifth in doubles (23). She batted .429 and led the Stars to a 50-9 record. Rayburn helped OCU to its first Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) tournament title since 2022 and advanced to the title game of the NAIA Opening Round. She was named SAC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and was named to the NFCA All-Region First Team.
Five of the 21 members of the Academic All-America® NAIA softball teams maintain an impeccable 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work or graduate school. The 12 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.93, with the entire NAIA team carrying a collective average GPA of 3.85.
Five student-athletes on the NAIA teams earned their second Academic All-America® honor,
Fiona Crane (Saint Xavier University),
Kenna Mayfield (Evangel University),
Elizabeth Palumbo (Central Methodist University),
Ella Schouten (Columbia College) and
Aubrey Wroble (Saint Xavier University).
The NAIA Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NAIA national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 NAIA Academic All-America® program.
| FIRST TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Sarah Williams |
Faulkner University |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Health Sciences |
| DP |
Stephanie Hause |
Olivet Nazarene University |
3.90 |
Sr. |
Accounting |
| IF |
Chloe Davidson |
Faulkner University |
3.98 |
Sr. |
Health Sciences |
| IF |
Allison Leigraf |
Missouri Baptist University |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Accounting |
| IF |
Kenna Mayfield (1) |
Evangel University |
3.97 |
Sr. |
Allied Health |
| IF |
Analise Rayburn |
Oklahoma City University |
4.00 |
Jr. |
Data Analytics |
| OF |
Tara Hoehner |
Oklahoma City University |
3.71 |
Jr. |
Exercise & Sports Science |
| OF |
Addyson Jarman |
Faulkner University |
3.98 |
So. |
Exercise Science |
| OF |
Haley Matlock |
Saint Xavier University |
3.66 |
Sr. |
Biology |
| P |
Savannah Bravo |
Indiana Tech |
4.00 |
Sr. |
Health Science |
| P |
Mackenzie Groninga |
Midland University |
4.00 |
So. |
Nursing |
| P |
Jayden Sawyer |
William Carey University |
3.90 |
Jr. |
Education |
| SECOND TEAM |
| Pos. |
Name |
School |
GPA |
Yr. |
Major |
| C |
Marguerite Brown |
Bellevue University |
3.73 |
Jr. |
Kinesiology |
| IF |
Mallory O'Connor |
Saint Xavier University |
3.55 |
Sr. |
Business Management |
| IF |
Elizabeth Palumbo (1) |
Central Methodist University |
3.87 |
Sr. |
Exercise Science |
| IF |
Lauren Steenstra |
Dordt University |
3.86 |
Sr. |
Education |
| IF |
Aubrey Wroble (1) |
Saint Xavier University |
3.96 |
Jr. |
Communications |
| OF |
Fiona Crane (1) |
Saint Xavier University |
3.72 |
Sr. |
Elementary Education |
| OF |
Chloe Kreuz |
Dordt University |
3.54 |
Jr. |
Nursing |
| OF |
Raylei McKinney |
Southeastern University |
3.57 |
Jr. |
Biology |
| P |
Ella Schouten (5) |
Columbia College |
3.87/3.87 |
Gr. |
Teaching (G) |
(1) – 1st team Academic All-America® in 2025
(5) – 1st 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
Brian Alden, University of South Carolina | Academic All-America® Coordinator of Publicity
aldenb@mailbox.sc.edu | (803) 777-1516