June 23, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – The 2025-26 Academic All-District® Men's Cross Country and Track & Field teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes women's basketball honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.
Six Dakota State men's cross country/track & field athletes received honors from CSC Tuesday afternoon. The criteria to the CSC Academic honor would need to have a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA), be at least a sophomore academically, and be a significant contributor (starter/important reserve) in their sport, with specific participation minimums like 90 percent of the contests.
These criteria recognize student-athletes excelling in both academics and athletes, with nominations submitted by institutional members of CSC.
The recipients for Dakota State include (name – track/field events – year – hometown – major):
- Tysen Grinde – jumps/multis – junior – Spring Grove, Minn. – computer science
- Zachary Haugen – throws – graduate student – Bath, S.D. – master's in education and technology
- Tyler Nicke – mid-distance – junior – Hartington, Neb. – cyber operations
- Franklin Johns – mid-distance – junior – Gordon, Neb. – physical education
- Cody Farland – mid-distance – graduate student – New Underwood, S.D. – cyber operations
- Nolan Slominski – mid-distance – junior – Blair, Neb. – cyber operations
All six recipients advanced to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced July 14.
