FOUR JACKS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT HONORS

Four South Dakota State softball student-athletes were awarded with College Sports Communicators Academic All-District accolades on Tuesday, the organization announced. The SDSU softball players recognized were Akayla Barnard, Tayler Baker, Alli Boyle and Emma Christensen.

The 2026 Academic All-District® Softball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

Barnard and Boyle are second-time selections for the Academic All-District team. Baker and Christensen were honored for the first time.

Boyle, already in the midst of pursuing her graduate studies at SDSU, previously earned a communication studies degree with a 3.68 grade-point average in the spring of 2025. Christensen graduated this spring with a GPA of 3.85 as she completed her college playing career. Barnard has a near 4.0 GPA while studying early childhood education and Baker has a 3.84 GPA throughout her sophomore season this past academic year.

Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced June 17.

-GoJacks.com-

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Players Mentioned

Tayler Baker

Akayla Barnard

Alli Boyle

Emma Christensen

Completed Event: Softball versus #1 Omaha on May 8, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 8 , 5 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball versus #4 South Dakota on May 8, 2026 , Loss , 0, to, 2

Completed Event: Softball at #2 St. Thomas on May 7, 2026 , Win , 7, to, 5

Completed Event: Softball versus #3 North Dakota State on May 6, 2026 , Win , 14, to, 2 , 5 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball at North Dakota State on May 2, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 15 , 5 Inn.

Completed Event: Softball at North Dakota State on May 1, 2026 , Loss , 4, to, 13 , 5 Inn.

South Dakota State University Athletics