GREENWOOD, Ind.  The College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced its 2026 Academic All-District Softball Teams on Tuesday, with four Methodist University student-athletes earning recognition on the NCAA Division III squad: Rachel Blanchard, Minnie Johnson, Rachel Lawson, and Alyssa Rivas.
 
Blanchard, a senior from Kenansville, North Carolina, was one of only two Monarchs to start all 43 games this season. She led the team in runs scored (21), doubles (9), home runs (5), and stolen bases (8). Defensively, the outfielder totaled 79 putouts and four assists, both team highs among Methodist outfielders.
 
Johnson, a junior from Dudley, North Carolina, appeared in 39 games and recorded 16 hits while scoring 12 runs. The starting first baseman committed just three errors all season, finishing with an impressive .983 fielding percentage.
 
Lawson, a junior from Graham, North Carolina, enjoyed a career season during her third year with the Monarchs. In 38 starts, she posted a .279 batting average with 31 hits, including seven doubles, while driving in 12 runs. Splitting time between third base and catcher, Lawson committed just one error all season and finished with a .992 fielding percentage.
 
Rivas, a senior from Lawrenceville, Virginia, led Methodist with a .325 batting average while also pacing the team in hits (39) and RBIs (27). She added two home runs and played in 41 games, primarily behind the plate while also seeing action at designated player and first base. Rivas totaled a career-high 126 putouts during her senior campaign.
 
The 2026 Academic All-District® Softball 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 softball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.
 
The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the Divisions II and III Academic All-America programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America program is partially financially supported through the NAIA national office.
 
For more information about the CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-America Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.