By: Evan O'Kelly, Associate Commissioner for Communications
PORTLAND, Ore. – A total of 118 women’s track & field student-athletes were named to the 2026 Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-academic team presented by Barnes & Noble College.
Among this year’s list of award winners was a trio of competitors who earned the honor for the fourth time in their careers. From Alaska Anchorage,
Blanca De Arvizu Sarrias made it four consecutive track & field seasons with academic plaudits, compiling a 3.95 grade point average while studying civil engineering.
Kayla Baniaga, an art major with a 3.83 GPA, earned her third straight selection while competing on the Northwest Nazarene track & field team. The third was Simon Fraser’s
Maddy Paugh, who posted a 3.71 GPA while studying kinesiology.
The 2026 selections also included nine student-athletes who held a perfect 4.0 grade point average. That list included Central Washington’s
Payton Conover (sophomore, undeclared),
Ellie Prazer (junior, biology) and
Alena Ross (junior, professional pilot), Saint Martin’s
Taylor Ames (sophomore, communications) and
Mira Jayarama (graduate student, psychology), Alaska Anchorage’s
Lilli Lindner (senior, mechanical engineering) and
Alexandra Otto (sophomore, political science), and Western Washington’s
Bec Bennett (senior, rehabilitation counseling) and
Kathryn Chapin (sophomore, mathematics).
Central Washington led the conference with 24 women’s track & field selections, while Western Washington was close behind with 22 athletes on the list. To qualify for academic all-conference, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20, must be in at least their second season competing for their team and must have competed during the 2025-26 campaign.
2026 Women’s Track & Field – Academic All-GNAC – Presented by Barnes & Noble College
Total Selections: 118 | Fourth year: 3 | Third year: 17 | Second year: 29 | Newcomers: 69
*-2025 All-Academic Selection | #-2024 All-Academic Selection | $-2023 All-Academic Selection
| Name |
Academic Major |
Year |
GPA |
Hometown |
School |
| Payton Conover |
Undecided |
SO |
4.00 |
Lynnwood, WA |
CWU |
| Ellie Prazer* |
Biology |
JR |
4.00 |
East Wenatchee, WA |
CWU |
| Alena Ross* |
Professional Pilot |
JR |
4.00 |
Kalama, WA |
CWU |
| Julie Johnson |
Chemistry |
SO |
3.95 |
Puyallup, WA |
CWU |
| Natalie Barta* |
Biology |
JR |
3.90 |
West Yellowstone, MT |
CWU |
| Samantha DeLay |
Undecided |
SO |
3.90 |
Wenatchee, WA |
CWU |
| Camryn Holterhoff* |
Elementary Education |
JR |
3.90 |
Moses Lake, WA |
CWU |
| Zoe Gonzales* |
Clinical Physiology |
JR |
3.88 |
Wenatchee, WA |
CWU |
| Helayna Bonilla |
Undecided |
SO |
3.82 |
Federal Way, WA |
CWU |
| Cariann Bryant |
Business Administration |
JR |
3.70 |
Reno, NV |
CWU |
| Joy Ayodeji |
Undecided |
SO |
3.65 |
Sultan, WA |
CWU |
| Tehya Moore*# |
Psychology |
SR |
3.65 |
Nooksack, WA |
CWU |
| Blessing Ayodeji |
Undecided |
SO |
3.59 |
Sultan, WA |
CWU |
| Carley Huber*# |
Clinical Physiology |
SR |
3.57 |
Santa Cruz, CA |
CWU |
| Capri Sims |
Business Administration |
JR |
3.57 |
Post Falls, ID |
CWU |
| Kamia Tootoosis-Didier |
Undecided |
SO |
3.57 |
Longview, WA |
CWU |
| Donna Marie Harris*# |
History/Social Studies Teaching |
SR |
3.53 |
Lynnwood, WA |
CWU |
| Bailey Board |
Undecided |
SO |
3.51 |
Mill Creek, WA |
CWU |
| Hannah Pidduck |
Undecided |
SO |
3.49 |
Lacey, WA |
CWU |
| Heidi Gill |
Undecided |
SO |
3.46 |
Sherwood, OR |
CWU |
| Jessica Henry |
Computer Science |
SR |
3.39 |
Lake Stevens, WA |
CWU |
| Emy Ntekpere* |
BioChemistry |
JR |
3.36 |
Vancouver, WA |
CWU |
| Ellie DeGroot |
Biology |
JR |
3.25 |
Enumclaw, WA |
CWU |
| Maliyah Gordon |
Clinical Physiology |
SO |
3.23 |
Yakima, WA |
CWU |
| Jaida Green*# |
Special Education |
SR |
3.84 |
Helena, MT |
MSUB |
| Chloe Shennum* |
HHP - Human Performance |
JR |
3.29 |
Havre, MT |
MSUB |
| Toree Manning |
HHP - Human Performance |
SR |
3.25 |
Billings, MT |
MSUB |
| Gabi Becker |
Communications |
SR |
3.20 |
Silverdale, WA |
MSUB |
| Maddie Weatherford |
Nursing |
SO |
3.98 |
Meridian, ID |
NNU |
| Jenna Davis |
Pre Athletic Training |
JR |
3.93 |
Apple Valley, CA |
NNU |
| Jordan Gram* |
Graphic Design |
JR |
3.93 |
Olympia, WA |
NNU |
| Rebecca Darwood* |
Christian Ministry |
JR |
3.90 |
Yakima, WA |
NNU |
| Ella Bartlett |
Nursing |
SO |
3.87 |
Sisters, OR |
NNU |
| Kayla Baniaga*#$ |
Art |
SR |
3.83 |
Boise, ID |
NNU |
| Alyssa Blum |
Nursing |
SO |
3.79 |
Pullman, WA |
NNU |
| McKenna Lechner* |
Elementary Ed |
JR |
3.75 |
Foresthill, CA |
NNU |
| Kayley Morrissey |
Nursing |
SO |
3.72 |
Covington, WA |
NNU |
| Keelin Stewart*# |
Digital Media |
SR |
3.72 |
Meridian, ID |
NNU |
| Gabbie Harms* |
Bio; Pre Med |
JR |
3.57 |
Eugene, OR |
NNU |
| Paige Trautman |
Nursing |
JR |
3.52 |
Salem, OR |
NNU |
| Madeline Gerbers |
Engineering |
SR |
3.50 |
Kennewick, WA |
NNU |
| Julie Chrisman |
Wildlife Biology |
SO |
3.46 |
Stanwood, WA |
NNU |
| Emma Kwok* |
Engineering |
JR |
3.38 |
Las Vegas, NV |
NNU |
| Makenze Knowles*# |
Nursing |
SR |
3.23 |
Palo Cedro, CA |
NNU |
| Maddy Paugh*#$ |
Kinesiology |
SR |
3.71 |
Nanaimo, BC |
SFU |
| Kate Cameron |
Health Sciences |
SR |
3.54 |
Nanaimo, BC |
SFU |
| Taylor Ames |
Communication Studies |
SO |
4.00 |
Olympia, WA |
SMU |
| Mira Jayarama |
Psychology |
GR |
4.00 |
Tumwater, WA |
SMU |
| Kadence Merritt |
Biology |
SO |
3.93 |
Pukalani, HI |
SMU |
| Taryn Wochnick |
Civil Engineering |
SO |
3.71 |
Camas, WA |
SMU |
| Ruby Bryntesen |
Nursing |
SO |
3.59 |
Liberty Lake, WA |
SMU |
| Charis Deitemeyer |
Civil Engineering |
JR |
3.51 |
Vancouver, WA |
SMU |
| Alberta Samuelu |
Accounting |
SO |
3.49 |
Olympia, WA |
SMU |
| Alexa Gossett |
Mechanical Engineering |
SO |
3.99 |
Claremont, CA |
SPU |
| Lucia Templeton |
Nursing |
SO |
3.98 |
Seattle, WA |
SPU |
| Katelyn Flolo*# |
Applied Human Bio |
SR |
3.96 |
Camas, WA |
SPU |
| Evey Rowland |
Business |
SO |
3.71 |
Rockford, MI |
SPU |
| Anika Segall |
Social Justice |
JR |
3.70 |
Seattle, WA |
SPU |
| Matise Mulch*# |
Mechanical Engineering |
SR |
3.67 |
Nine Miles Fall, WA |
SPU |
| Maliyah Hicks*# |
Interior Design |
SR |
3.62 |
Great Falls, MT |
SPU |
| Tia Cates |
Business |
SO |
3.60 |
Springdale, WA |
SPU |
| Anna Prussian* |
History |
JR |
3.58 |
Sitka, AK |
SPU |
| Hannah Chang*# |
Physiology |
SR |
3.48 |
Richland, WA |
SPU |
| Sarah Bailey |
Physiology |
SO |
3.38 |
SeaTac, WA |
SPU |
| Sophie Hanay |
Computer Science |
SO |
3.37 |
Seattle, WA |
SPU |
| Nicole Pierce |
Nutrition |
SO |
3.33 |
Kirtland, NM |
SPU |
| Maya Ewing*# |
Nursing |
SR |
3.22 |
Lynden, WA |
SPU |
| Lilli Lindner |
Mechanical Engineering |
SR |
4.00 |
Freiburg, Germany |
UAA |
| Alexandra Otto* |
International Studies, Political Science |
SO |
4.00 |
Saalburg-Ebersdorf, Germany |
UAA |
| Avery Williamson |
Journalism & Public Communication |
SR |
3.97 |
Haines, AK |
UAA |
| Blanca De Arvizu Sarrias*#$ |
Civil Engineering |
SR |
3.95 |
Huarte, Spain |
UAA |
| Gloria Kiprotich |
Nursing |
SO |
3.94 |
Keiyo, Kenya |
UAA |
| Delaney Dreager |
Legal Studies |
SO |
3.91 |
Vernonia, OR |
UAA |
| Jessica Chisar* |
Kinesiology |
JR |
3.89 |
Pleasant Hill, CA |
UAA |
| Liv Heite* |
Kinesiology |
JR |
3.88 |
Olpe, Germany |
UAA |
| McKinley Eddington |
Civil Engineering |
SO |
3.79 |
Healy, AK |
UAA |
| Ryann Smith |
Kinesiology |
JR |
3.77 |
Rawlins, WY |
UAA |
| Lacie Simmons* |
Mechanical Engineering |
JR |
3.69 |
Campbell River, BC |
UAA |
| Daisy Macias |
Kinesiology |
SR |
3.64 |
King City, CA |
UAA |
| Vivian Liessfeld* |
Psychology |
JR |
3.59 |
Neuwied, Germany |
UAA |
| Makendra McCarty |
Health Sciences |
SO |
3.29 |
Sedro-Woolley, WA |
UAA |
| Alecia Lemeza* |
Exercise Science |
JR |
3.97 |
Salem, OR |
WOU |
| Charlotte Gardner |
Biology |
SO |
3.96 |
Newport, OR |
WOU |
| Gwen Rydberg |
Psychology |
JR |
3.92 |
Yakima, WA |
WOU |
| Ameila Merritt* |
Business |
JR |
3.90 |
Camas, WA |
WOU |
| Kaydence Nguyen* |
Exercise Science |
JR |
3.81 |
Salem, OR |
WOU |
| Taylor Brasfield |
Business |
SO |
3.79 |
Corvallis, OR |
WOU |
| Kyla Potratz* |
Psychology |
JR |
3.75 |
Phoenix, OR |
WOU |
| Olivia Boyd |
Biology |
SO |
3.71 |
Gervais, OR |
WOU |
| Alexa McGowan |
Exercise Science |
SO |
3.71 |
Albany, OR |
WOU |
| Madison Huri |
Exploratory Studies |
SO |
3.66 |
Selah, WA |
WOU |
| Holly Hutton*# |
Education |
SR |
3.64 |
Bandon, OR |
WOU |
| Katie Dufner* |
Biology |
JR |
3.63 |
Dallas, OR |
WOU |
| Natalie Perez*# |
Computer Science |
SR |
3.54 |
Alameda, CA |
WOU |
| Aliyah Taba |
Interdisciplinary Studies |
SO |
3.43 |
Kalaheo, HI |
WOU |
| Jazmine Liebl |
Business |
SR |
3.37 |
Salem, OR |
WOU |
| Bec Bennett |
Rehab Counseling |
SR |
4.00 |
Mosman, Australia |
WWU |
| Kathryn Chapin |
Math |
SO |
4.00 |
Longview, WA |
WWU |
| Ayla Danner-Bunn |
Kinesiology |
JR |
3.97 |
Roy, WA |
WWU |
| Lauren Simicich |
Kinesiology |
SO |
3.97 |
Bothell, WA |
WWU |
| Skye Stenehjem |
Industrial Design |
SO |
3.88 |
Yakima, WA |
WWU |
| Josephine Stevenson* |
Environmental Studies |
JR |
3.87 |
Puyallup, WA |
WWU |
| Hannah Polkinghorn |
Linguistics |
SR |
3.86 |
White Salmon, WA |
WWU |
| Emmy Kroontje*# |
Biology |
SR |
3.76 |
Lynden, WA |
WWU |
| Nicole Avery*# |
Biology |
SR |
3.72 |
Pullman, WA |
WWU |
| Kayla Ramsey* |
Kinesiology |
JR |
3.70 |
Medical Lake, WA |
WWU |
| Kendall Carter* |
Kinesiology |
SO |
3.67 |
Spokane, WA |
WWU |
| Danielle McLain* |
Biology |
JR |
3.67 |
Bandon, OR |
WWU |
| Sydney Mohlman |
Psychology |
JR |
3.54 |
Mill Creek, WA |
WWU |
| Sarah Dickson |
Kinesiology |
SO |
3.50 |
Kent, WA |
WWU |
| Laura Halsell*# |
Kinesiology |
SR |
3.45 |
Bellingham, WA |
WWU |
| Tess King* |
Kinesiology |
JR |
3.43 |
Cheney, WA |
WWU |
| Alanna Parker*# |
Kinesiology |
SR |
3.41 |
Spokane, WA |
WWU |
| Jessica Polkinghorn |
Kinesiology |
SO |
3.41 |
White Salmon, WA |
WWU |
| Cassandra Schulberg |
Kinesiology |
SO |
3.41 |
Sedro Woolley, WA |
WWU |
| Kennedy Cook |
Sociology |
JR |
3.35 |
Palouse, WA |
WWU |
| Kora Cook* |
Biology |
JR |
3.33 |
Vernal, UT |
WWU |
| Alexis Parker |
Marketing |
SR |
3.25 |
Spokane, WA |
WWU |