South Dakota State’s Braxton McGrath was recognized on Apr. 29 as a member of the 2025-26 Academic All-America Team for men’s swimming and diving, selected by the College Sports Communicators.
This recognition highlights academic achievement among student-athletes in collegiate sports. The honor is awarded to those who excel both in their sport and in the classroom.
McGrath, a senior from Amana, Iowa, earned second-team honors after maintaining a 3.85 grade-point average while majoring in mechanical engineering. He was previously recognized this spring on the CSC Academic All-District and Summit League All-Academic squads for the third time during his college career. In competition, McGrath achieved all-Summit League status during both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. He set new school records in the 100 butterfly with a time of 47.70 seconds and in the 200 butterfly at 1:47.98 during the 2026 Summit League championships, where he placed second in the 200 butterfly and third in the 100 fly. Additionally, he contributed to a school-record performance as part of South Dakota State’s third-place finish in the 400 medley relay at those championships.
McGrath is now one of four Jackrabbit student-athletes honored by College Sports Communicators as Academic All-Americans during this academic year. Others include football players Kobe Clayborne (first team) and Max Pelham (second team), along with women’s soccer player Lauren Eckerle (second team).
The selection underscores South Dakota State University’s ongoing commitment to supporting students who demonstrate excellence both academically and athletically.
