DALTON, Ga. – Six Dalton State athletic programs earned NAIA Scholar-Team recognition as part of the 2026 NAIA National Awards Day announcements.
 
"This is something we take pride in as a department," said Ben Rickett, Dalton State Director of Athletics. "I am extremely proud of our student-athletes and our coaches. Winning in everything that we do is something the department should be proud of. These awards are for everyone as we know that we do not have success without the help of so many people, both inside and outside of our department."
 
The Roadrunners were represented by men's soccer, men's golf, women's soccer, women's outdoor track and field, women's cross country and women's golf.
 
Women's golf posted the department's highest team grade-point average at 3.58. Women's cross country followed closely with a 3.57 GPA, while women's outdoor track and field recorded a 3.47.
 
Women's soccer earned recognition with a 3.38 team GPA, followed by men's golf at 3.36 and men's soccer at 3.06.
 
DALTON STATE NAIA SCHOLAR TEAMS

• Women's Golf: 3.58 GPA
• Women's Cross Country: 3.57 GPA
• Women's Outdoor Track & Field: 3.47 GPA
• Women's Soccer: 3.38 GPA
• Men's Golf: 3.36 GPA
• Men's Soccer: 3.06 GPA

The honors recognize the continued commitment of Dalton State student-athletes to success in the classroom while competing at the collegiate level.
 
The NAIA announced its 2026 National Awards Day recipients on September 15, recognizing student-athletes, athletics personnel and teams from throughout the association for their accomplishments on and off the field.
 
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