31 student-athletes earn 2025-2026 NAIA Fall Scholar-Athlete honors

Kansas City, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) proudly announces the 2025 NAIA Scholar-Athletes for fall sports. This honor recognizes student-athletes in each of the fall sports who have excelled academically, including football, men's cross country, men's soccer, women's cross country, women's soccer and women's volleyball.

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

Sterling College had 31 student-athletes earn this prestigious honor. The honorees span a diverse array of sports, reflecting the broad scope of talent and dedication among Sterling College's athletes. From the volleyball team, 12 athletes demonstrated their academic prowess: Grace Battershell, Caitlyn Belote, Emma Butler, Anasteshia Gartman, Kaleigh Guhr, Kodie Herd, Kalli Kaser, Gracie Kirchhoff, Taylor "Dru" Lindsey, Aliya McClanahan, Hannah Rupp and Chloe Schmidt.

Women's soccer and women's cross country reach had three honorees. Women's soccer included: Sheridan Nguyen, Kayleann Harrington and Shayna Dale, while women's cross country featured: Janie Perico, Audrey Blake and Sheridan Nguyen.

The football team boasts nine honorees, showcasing their dedication and teamwork: Avondre Robinson, Jadon Schemm, Mason Cobb, Domanic Bear, Rylan Cass, Ryan Stucky, Kyle Arnett, Jordan Hansen and Tim Chon.

Men's soccer contributed four student athletes: Julio Blanco, Daniel Stone, Angel Garcia and Darragh Synnott while men's cross country was represented by Daryen Jefferson.

Among conferences, the Great Plains Athletic Conference leads the list with 693 scholar-athletes, closely followed by the Heart of America Athletic Conference with 690. The Crossroads League ranks third with 538, while the Appalachian Athletic Conference and Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference follow with 458 and 437, respectively.

Across the country, women's soccer highlights the field with 1,606 scholar-athletes, ahead of men's soccer (1,345), women's volleyball (1,231), football (1,129), women's cross country (617) and men's cross country (558).

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.