February 19, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) proudly announces the 2025 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes for winter sports.  This honor recognizes student-athletes in each of the winter sports who have excelled academically, including women’s basketball.

To qualify as a Daktronics 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.  This year, the list features an impressive number of student-athletes who have met these rigorous standards.

The NAIA women’s basketball boasted the highest number of scholar-athletes, totaling 935.  Dakota State (S.D.) leads the North Star Athletic Association with 11 scholar-athletes, followed by Valley City State (N.D.) with 10 scholar-athletes.  Dickinson State (N.D.) landed eight recipients on the national academic list, while Mayville State (N.D.) registered seven recipients.  Bellevue (Neb.) had four athletes on the NAIA Scholar Athlete list.

Bellevue (4)
Ashtyn Arnold – Senior
Aminah Hall – Senior
Gabriela Moore – Senior
Emily Pomernackas – Senior

Dakota State (11)
Kristine Biniek – Senior
Caitlin Dyer – Junior
Alysaa Koffler – Sophomore
Lilli Mackley – Senior
Kirstie Munsen – Sophomore
Olivia Ritter – Senior
Angela Slattery – Senior
Tabor Teel – Junior
Molli Thornton – Sophomore
Bria Wasmund – Sophomore
Cierra Watkins – Sophomore

Dickinson State (8)
Kyrie Alldredge – Junior
MacKenzie Conzelman – Sophomore
Whitney Edwards – Sophomore
Talissa Fischbach – Sophomore
Tayte Kohn - Senior
Samantha Oase – Senior
Tinley Pierson – Senior
Tia Williamson – Sophomore

Mayville State (7)
Ava Butler – Senior
Mackenzie Hughes – Senior
Brianna Hutter – Senior
Gracie Kaczynski – Sophomore
Jessica Mertens – Senior
Annika Rierson – Senior
Mollie Robbins – Senior

Valley City State (10)
Olivia Backus – Sophomore
Ellie Braaten – Sophomore
Delaney Cotton – Sophomore
Klaire Cotton – Sophomore
Ashlyn Diemert – Senior
Elyse Hebrink – Senior
Avery Kuklinski – Sophomore
Ellie Powell – Sophomore
JayCee Richter – Junior
Madison Spacher – Junior