DES MOINES, IOWA — Grand View University Athletics continued its tradition of academic excellence this year, as the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) named
186 Vikings as 2025-26 Heart Scholar-Athletes. The 2025-2026 academic year marks a new program record and once again the most of any institution in the conference, tied with Mount Mercy University.
The total marks a significant jump from last year's 133 honorees, and extends Grand View's standing as the program that has led the Heart Conference in Scholar-Athlete recognitions in nearly every year of the award's history.
| Academic Year |
Grand View Heart Scholar-Athletes |
Conference Rank |
| 2019-20 |
119 |
1st |
| 2020-21 |
124 |
1st |
| 2021-22 |
139 |
1st |
| 2022-23 |
137 |
1st |
| 2023-24 |
119 |
2nd |
| 2024-25 |
133 |
1st |
| 2025-26 |
186 |
T-1st |
This year's total represents the program's largest class of Heart Scholar-Athletes to date, underscoring the strength of Grand View's academic support systems and the dedication of its student-athletes across all 28 varsity programs.
To earn Heart of America Scholar-Athlete status, a student-athlete must meet the following criteria:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
- A minimum of 60 accumulated credit hours, at least 5 semesters completed, and at least two semesters at the nominating institution prior to nomination
- Documented participation in varsity competition in the sport for which they are nominated
- Graduate student-athletes are also eligible for the award
Below is the full list of Grand View's 2025-26 Heart Scholar-Athletes by sport:
Football
| Lance Clayburg |
Kongolo Mwenemkamba |
| Isaac Cook |
Simeon Reichenbach |
| Brady Cory |
Ethan Schultz |
| Cale Culver |
Mason Sheldahl |
| Porter Doggett |
Joseph Sifuentes |
| Kenson Fuller |
Jake Trenary |
| Noah Gunderson |
Blake Tubbs |
| Jack Jepson |
Dalten Van Pelt |
| Harry Leinen |
Jackson Waring |
| Payton McNealy |
Cory Wood |
Men's Soccer
| Justin Figaroa |
Amer Oric |
| Herman Furumo |
Xavier Roy |
| Pau Gonzalez Diaz |
Daniel Sandoval |
| Luis Helm |
Braden Schoene |
| Nils Knect |
Mario Sisalema |
| Tonatiuh Merlos-Rojas |
|
Women's Soccer
| Ava Adams |
Evelyn Hierzer |
| Mea Bell |
Claudia Lavariega |
| Blair Burnham |
Jaydee Macareno |
| Janette Dela Cruz-Jimenez |
Ginerva Spinelli |
| Maya Fritz |
|
Women's Volleyball
| Emily Byrd |
Clarissa Hasty |
| Vitoria Campos Mello |
Chloe McDermott |
| Reese Casey |
Juliana Neves |
| Mya Clapp |
Brooklyn Roder |
| Mariana De Carvalho |
Kaylee Stalder |
| Ellie Daugherty |
|
Men's Cross Country
| Matthew Bonner |
Nathan Limas |
| Women's XC |
|
Women's Cross Country
| Fabiola Gamboa-Garcia |
Faith Neeley |
| Kylie Muecke |
|
Men's Tennis
| Pierre DeBuretel de Chassey |
Enzo Naveda Canessa |
Women's Tennis
Men's Golf
| Harrison Froling |
Krish Gupta |
Women's Golf
| Isabella Apolonio |
Danielle Hurt |
| Abby Brooks |
Maddy Maynes |
Baseball
| Matt Aschoff |
Ben Sandvig |
| Colin Driscoll |
Drew Scherbenske |
| Alex Foster |
Jackson Smith |
| Ryan Hulse |
Cooper(Timothy) Smith |
| Thomas Maathuis |
Bryce Stalder |
Softball
| Macy Blomgren |
Peyton Naranjo |
| Alyssa Brant |
Elle Nelsen |
| Molly Breeding |
Nevaeh Randall |
| Lark Drake |
Ceara Swanson |
| Aubree Foster |
Ellea Taber |
| Addy Halstead |
Madeline Waldorf |
| Claire Leinen |
|
Cheer
| Riley Arseneau |
Nora Nosekabel |
| Jacob Butz |
Sophia Soulis |
| Carly Janssen |
|
Dance
| Delaney Baird |
Meadow Losee |
| Aliya Brandt |
Isabella Martens |
| Harper Chambers |
Brooke Pease |
| Jenna Davenport |
Grace Richardson |
| Sydney Divorky |
Chloe Sarver |
| Ava Guy |
Lexi Van Utrecht |
| Lilly Jones |
|
Men's Basketball
| Joe Knutson |
Carson Vandelune |
| Rhylan Stine-Smith |
Matthew Watters |
Women's Basketball
| Claire Galbraith |
Claire Ladage |
| Anna Gossling |
Maddy Maynes |
| Abigail Jones |
Eva Peterson |
| Ellie Knock |
Eva Solseth |
Men's Wrestling
| Shane Cook |
Garavous Kouekabakilaho |
| Reese Courtney |
Easton Larson |
| Danny Diaz |
Tim Plamondon |
| Zeb Fitzgerald |
Cam Robinson |
| Braden Graff |
Carter Smuck |
| Lucas Hageman |
|
Women's Wrestling
| Jalen Bets |
Brynn Miller |
| Catie Campbell |
Nikki Olson |
| Cailin Campbell |
Andjela Prjovic |
| Mayangelie Colon |
Audrey Scherer |
| Sophia Delgado |
|
Men's Bowling
| Jonathan Featherston |
Kory Ludden |
| Justin Graves |
|
Women's Bowling
| Kennady Bigwood |
Brianna Musgrave |
| Bianca Fuquey |
|
Men's Volleyball
| Andre Alves Leandro |
Jonathan Rzepa |
| Guilherme Goedert |
Marcus Taylor Evangelista |
| Stoyota Nguyen |
Josh Valencia |
| Taylor Phipps |
|
Men's Indoor Track & Field
| Elijah Alhussaini |
Nathan Limas |
| Matthew Bonner |
Kristian McDonnell |
| Jace Hanson |
Jayton Poole |
| Ethan Larsen |
|
Women's Indoor Track and Field
| Hannah Brandt |
Carolyn Miller |
| Brynna Croy |
Kaylin Mitchell |
| Maddie Cunningham |
Kylie Muecke |
| Fabiola Gamboa-Garcia |
Faith Neeley |
| Kaiya Gonzalez |
Ashlyn Works |
Men's Outdoor Track and Field
| Elijah Alhussaini |
Nathan Limas |
| Matthew Bonner |
Kristian McDonnell |
| Jace Hanson |
Jayton Poole |
| Ethan Larsen |
Adriano Roma Ripol |
Women's Outdoor Track and Field
| Hannah Brandt |
Carolyn Miller |
| Brynna Croy |
Kaylin Mitchell |
| Maddie Cunningham |
Kylie Muecke |
| Fabiola Gamboa-Garcia |
Faith Neeley |
| Kaiya Gonzalez |
Ashlyn Works |
View complete 2025-26 Heart Scholar-Athletes Here
