COLUMBUS, Ga. – Columbus State University placed 68 student-athletes on the Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team during the 2025-26 academic year, earning a combined 71 selections across the conference's fall, winter, and spring sports.
The Peach Belt Conference All-Academic Team, formerly known as the Team of Academic Distinction, recognizes student-athletes for their achievements in the classroom and in competition.
To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must participate in at least half of their team's contests while serving as a starter or significant contributor, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher, and be at least a sophomore both academically and athletically. Transfer student-athletes are immediately eligible once they meet the criteria. The program is administered by the Peach Belt Conference's sports communications professionals.
The Cougars earned 22 All-Academic Team selections during the fall season, highlighted by 17 selections from the women's soccer program and five honorees from the men's and women's cross country teams.
Women's Soccer (17)
Abigail Akerson, Ansley Caldwell, Kaylee Castano, Kendal Coreil, Kelsey Croft, Juanita Escobar, Heidi Harris, Elle Henschel, Gabi Hernandez, Anna Labarbera, Sophia Leal, Michelle Medina, Madelynn Neace, Mia Robinson, Ui Suzuki, Shania Wegesend, and Avery Williams.
Men's Cross Country (4)
Owen Hartshorn, Daniel Leonard, Blake Lewis, and Caleb Weaver.
Women's Cross Country (1)
Anna Petallar.
During the winter season, CSU earned four All-Academic Team selections, including two members from both the men's and women's basketball programs.
Women's Basketball (2)
Simone Lett and Letiya Reeves.
Men's Basketball (2)
Jaylen Harris and Pascal Volz.
CSU totaled 45 All-Academic Team selections during the spring season, highlighted by 15 combined selections from the men's and women's track & field programs and 10 honorees from the softball team.
Softball (10)
Ansley Collins, Abrianna Green, Gracyn Gurley, Lily Miller, Izzy Ripatti, Khloe Shears, Mary-Catherine Sorrell, Aubree Ussery, Kara Wegienka, and Nova Wright.
Baseball (6)
Corey Berry, Jackson Chizek, Cole Eison, Victor Junco, Bryce Sanders, and Jax Yoxtheimer.
Men's Golf (4)
Jackson Cavanaugh, Frederick Chappell, Russell Makepeace, and Ian Pienaar.
Women's Golf (4)
Laura DeLaubert, Samantha Dewendt Morales, Sydney Himes, and Peyton Maraman.
Women's Tennis (4)
Sofia Lauretti, Maria Markosov, Laura Pesickova, and Monika Temkova.
Men's Tennis (2)
Daniel Hammond and Yike Liu.
Women's Track & Field (5)
Sarah Arnold, Faith Brown, Nakhia Montgomery, Anna Petallar, and Liza Varnum.
Men's Track & Field (10)
Kenneth Brooks III, Godwin Fini, Zackery Gardner, James Harrelson, Owen Hartshorn, Blake Lewis, Raylene Magby, Enoch Oluyaniyi, Reece Pasley, and Jayden Powell.
The 71 selections reflect Columbus State's commitment to academic excellence across its athletic programs during the 2025-26 academic year.
Anna Petallar, Owen Hartshorn, and Blake Lewis each earned recognition in both cross country and track & field, accounting for the difference between CSU's 68 individual honorees and 71 total selections.
