The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2026 NAIA Scholar-Athletes for winter sports. Each semester, the NAIA Scholar-Athlete list celebrates student-athletes who excel in both academic and athletic arenas. 

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 State University had eight members of the women’s basketball team, and five men, included on the list. 

Nolan Segner – sophomore – business finance – Apple Valley, Minn.

Ella Carstensen – sophomore – exercise science – Hudson, Wis.

Caitlin Dyer – senior – physical education – Morphettville, South Australia

Hamtyn Heinz – sophomore – physical education/exercise science – Huron, S.D.

Eliza Oltmanns – sophomore – business marketing – Alexandria, S.D.

Lillie Ross – sophomore – elementary education – Hill City, S.D.

Tabor Teel – senior – business marketing – Colton, S.D.

Bria Wasmund – junior – exercise science/biology – Sibley, Iowa

Cierra Watkins – junior – elementary education – Sioux Falls, S.D.

Tyler Beckwith – sophomore – business management – Lakeville, Minn.

Taine Mitchell – graduate student – master’s in education and technology – Adelaide, Australia

Lukas Morgan – sophomore – cyber operations – Sioux Falls, S.D.

Brayden Pankonen – junior – business finance – Dell Rapids, S.D.