KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The NAIA announced all recipients of scholar-athlete distinction for the 2025-26 winter season, which includes 31 total student-athletes from Dakota Wesleyan University.
To qualify as an NAIA Scholar-Athlete, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, appear on the eligibility certificate for their sport, and have attended their institution for at least one full year. Dakota Wesleyan had the most representation from women's basketball with 14 members named scholar-athletes. Men's basketball had 11 of their own, while men's wrestling saw six individuals awarded with such distinctions.
Athletic Director Ross Cimpl noted the continued success of DWU student-athletes, both on and off the field of competition.
"Once again, we have the opportunity to recognize some of the brightest student-athletes in the NAIA. The effort our student-athletes put into their athletic and academic careers is incredible. The professors, coaches, and support staff at DWU continue to raise the bar. We are so proud to recognize these student-athletes."
The full Dakota Wesleyan University Winter 2025-26 NAIA Scholar-Athlete list is as follows.
Men's Basketball NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Braxton Musser, Caleb Kilbride, Colton Edberg, Connor Martinez, Ethan Determan, Jadon Amiot, Kolton Duis, Landon Thury, Oliver Vincent, Steele Morgan, Tyson Stevenson
Women's Basketball NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Aliyah McGovern, Avery Broughton, Avery Orth, Lizzie Pavlis, Ella Griffin, Emma Yost, Jaida Young, Laura Sumption, Maleighya Estes, Nora Dinger, Shalayne Nagel, Sydney Olson, Taliyah Hayes, Tesa Olson
Men's Wrestling NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Jackson Remmers, Jaxson Irvine, Jagger Tyler, Kipp Cordes, Teagan Foreman, Tukker Boe
DWU's scholar-athletes were among 3,143 awarded for the winter 2025-26 season. You can read the NAIA's full release here.