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

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.

Bismarck State tallied nine scholar-athletes on the national academic list.  The Mysitcs volleyball team landed five recipients, and the women's cross country team sported four recipients. 

Below are the recipients of the 2025 NAIA Scholar Athletes for Bismarck State:

VOLLEYBALL (5)

• Reese Duchsherer  --  sophomore  --  Elementary Education  --  Bismarck, N.D.
• Chelsa Krom  --  junior. --  University Studies  --  Bismarck, N.D.
• Paige McAllister  --  junior. --  Finance  --  Fargo, N.D.
• Brooklyn Sand  --  sophomore. --  Nursing. --  Bismarck, N.D.
• Kate Zimmer  --  junior  --  Elementary Education  --  Bismarck, N.D.

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY (4)

• Sophia Fafard  --  sophomore  --  Mass Communication  --  Rocanville, Saskatchewan
• Paysha Rex  --  junior  --  Graphic Design & Communications. --  Bowman, N.D.
• Alexis Ritzman  --  junior  --  Finance  --  Mandan, N.D.
• Ava Stafford  --  junior  --  Nursing  --  Cody, Wyo.