LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Records are made to be broken. A year after the Portland State softball team had a program-record 15 student-athletes earn Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete honors, the Vikings added one more with 16 honorees for their 2026 season.
 
The 16 honorees represent more than two-thirds of the team's 22-player roster last season. Considering the requirements to receive the award – a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale during the 2025-26 academic year – it's no wonder that the Vikings also received Academic Team honors with a 3.625 cumulative GPA.
 
Out of the 16 honorees, six Vikings earned the recognition for a second time between Anna Jardin, Grace Johnson, Nichole Orozco, Elise Sanchez, Gracie Toney and Gracie Walters. Besides them, Jolee Benson, Jacobi Coombs, Addison Harmier, Sierra Llamas, Breanna Lutz, Mia Martinez, Claire Masters, Giselle Pantoja, Sofia Peato and Samiya Wright all earned the honor for a first time.
 
The Vikings have had at least seven student-athletes earn Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete honors in 10 years under head coach Meadow McWhorter.
 
This year's 16 honorees follow a series of academic honors for the Vikings. Fifteen players received Academic All-Big Sky honors this past spring, while Lutz and Orozco earned Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators (CSC).