GREENWOOD, Ind. – Five members of the Washington & Jefferson College softball team has been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Softball Team, as announced by the organization on Tuesday (May 26).
 
The 2025-26 Academic All-District® Softball Team, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
 
To be eligible for CSC Academic All-District®, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher, and be a standout on the diamond, competing in at least 90 percent of their team's competitions, or start in 66 percent of games.
 
Selected for the 2026 CSC Academic All-District® Team was senior Deanna Gratton (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway), junior Mirranda Rinehart (Washington, Pa./Trinity), and sophomores Anna Luxenberger (Montoursville, Pa./Loyalsock Township), Maddie Luxenberger (Montoursville, Pa./Loyalsock Township), and Sydney VanNess (Warren, Ohio/Howland).
 
Gratton made an appearance in all but one of the Presidents' 36 games this season, starting 34 of them at third base. The senior finished the season with a .244 bating average and had seven doubles. Gratton also led the team with 16 walks drawn. In the field, Gratton finished the year with a .950 fielding percentage. In the classroom, the senior has accumulated a 3.57 GPA with majors in child development and special education.
 
Rinehart started all but one of the team's 36 games played at second base. The junior finished the year with a .255 batting average. Rinehart had eight doubles and drove in nine runs. Additionally, the junior led the team with nine sacrifice hits, leading the PAC. Nationally, Rinehart is ranked in a tie for 18th with twelve hit by pitches. In the field, Rinehart had a .975 fielding percentage for the season. In the classroom, the junior has a 3.90 GPA with a major in accounting.
 
A. Luxenberger started 35 out of the team's 36 games during the 2026 campaign, at first base. The sophomore finished the season with a .348 batting average and had a .749 OPS. The sophomore scored 20 runs and drove in an additional 10. On the basepath, A. Luxenberger was a perfect 6-for-6 successful stolen bases. Defensively, A. Luxenberger only made two errors and finished with a .992 fielding percentage. The sophomore currently has a 3.75 GPA with a major in mathematics.
 
M. Luxenberger started 32 games behind the plate for the Presidents. The sophomore finished the year with a .241 batting average, driving in eight runs. Behind the plate, M. Luxenberger had a perfect 1.00 fielding percentage and only three passed balls. Additionally, the sophomore threw out four runners stealing a base. M. Luxenberger has a 3.83 GPA, majoring in communication arts.
 
Finally, VanNess appeared in 33 games, starting 32 of them as an outfielder. The sophomore finished the season with a .282 batting average and 15 runs batted in. Defensively, VanNess also finished the season with a perfect 1.00 fielding percentage. The sophomore made 37 catches for 37 putouts. Academically, VanNess finished her second year with a 3.60 GPA and has a major in biology.