Softball | 8/12/2026 3:30:00 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Gannon University softball team continued its strong tradition of academic success as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced its 2025-26 Easton/NFCA academic honors on Wednesday.

Gannon posted a 3.718 team grade point average during the 2025-26 academic year, ranking 17th among all NCAA Division II programs.

The 3.718 GPA is the highest recorded by the Golden Knights since head coach Michelle Wiley took the helm of the program. Gannon improved from a 3.515 GPA in 2025 and has now posted a team GPA of 3.500 or better in six of the past seven years in which a team GPA was calculated.

Gannon was one of four PSAC programs to rank among the top 22 in Division II in team GPA. Mansfield ranked third nationally with a 3.790 GPA, while IUP was eighth with a 3.742 GPA. Slippery Rock ranked 22nd with a 3.690 GPA.
In addition to the team recognition, 20 Golden Knights were named 2025-26 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes.

The NFCA recognized 8,850 collegiate student-athletes across its membership categories with All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2025-26 academic year. NCAA Division II accounted for 1,869 honorees. To earn the recognition, student-athletes must post a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Team GPAs and Scholar-Athlete honorees are submitted by NFCA member head coaches.

The Golden Knights have had at least 18 student-athletes earn the honor in each of the past five years. Gannon had 21 honorees in 2025, 20 in 2024, 19 in 2023 and 18 in 2022. The Golden Knights also had 13 honorees in 2021 and 16 in 2019.

2026 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes

• Katie Armstrong (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell)
• Bella Atherton (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong)
• Miranda Biles (Hartstown, Pa./Jamestown Area)
• Lindsay Breuer (Mason, Ohio/Mason)
• Kaleigh Ciesielski (Cheektowaga, N.Y./Maryvale)
• Jenna Clontz (Kittanning, Pa./Armstrong)
• Olivia Eckels (Saint Marys, Pa./Saint Marys Area)
• Ashley Fox (Cowansville, Pa./Karns City)
• Izzy Nageli (Erie, Pa./McDowell)
• Alli Novick (Pinckney, Mich./Pinckney Community)
• Ella Richter (Lawton, Mich./Lawton)
• Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley)
• Milla Sanchez (Upland, Cal./Claremont)
• Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy)
• Emily Spears (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area)
• Kloie Troutman (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria)
• Carlyn Vaupel (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny)
• Makenzie Wade (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park)
• Jessica Westmiller (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East)
• Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny)
• Ella Richter (Lawton, Mich./Lawton)
• Mia Ryan (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley)
• Milla Sanchez (Upland, Cal./Claremont)
• Josie Spano (Hudson, Ohio/Western Reserve Academy)
• Emily Spears (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area)
• Kloie Troutman (Lorain, Ohio/Elyria)
• Carlyn Vaupel (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny)
• Makenzie Wade (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park)
• Jessica Westmiller (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville East)
• Alaina Whipkey (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny)