SDSU TRIO TABBED ACADEMIC ALL-SUMMIT LEAGUE

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State tied for a conference-high three individuals that were chosen to the 2026 Summit League Softball Academic All-League Team, announced on Tuesday, following voting by the league's Faculty Athletic Representatives and Sports Information Directors. The honor recognizes outstanding achievement both academically and throughout the softball season.

SDSU, along with Omaha and South Dakota, led all teams with three honorees. The Jackrabbits that were selected to the Academic All-League Team were Akayla Barnard, Emma Christensen and Cece Hanson. Barnard earned her second career Academic All-League recognition from The Summit League, while Christensen and Hanson were selected for the first time.

Barnard completed a second straight all-conference season earning Second Team all-league accolades as a junior in 2026. The Cabot, Ark., native batted .324 across 58 games for the Jackrabbits in 2026. Barnard led the Jackrabbits in home runs with 17 and drove in 46 RBIs. Her 54 runs scored set a new program record for a single season. Barnard was picked to the All-Tournament Team in SDSU's postseason appearance in The Twin Cities in May. She currently has a 3.97 grade-point average while majoring in early childhood education.

Christensen was one of SDSU's standouts during her senior season. She completed her college career by claiming Second Team All-Summit League honors a season after being named an honorable mention. The Urbandale, Iowa, native hit .324 at the plate while she was one of five Jackrabbits to score 30-plus runs. Christensen set career highs in 2026 in every offensive category while starting in all 59 games. She completed a business economics degree at SDSU behind a 3.85 GPA.

Hanson appeared in a career-high 46 games as a sophomore. The Jackrabbit outfielder primarily served as a pinch runner as she scored nine runs on the season. The Rosemount, Minn., native has been exceptional in the classroom. Hanson currently holds a 4.0 GPA as a business economics major.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team's competitions, except pitchers who must have participated in 20 percent of their team's total contests.

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league's seven institutions that carry softball, and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs). The team is made up of the 10 student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.

-GoJacks.com-

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Players Mentioned

Akayla Barnard

Emma Christensen

Cece Hanson

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.

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