NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Madison DeCota (Strafford, N.H.) has added one of the nation's highest academic and athletic honors to an already historic year, as the Norwich University softball standout was named a 2026 NCAA Division III Academic All-America Second Team honoree, as selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC).

DeCota, a rising senior pitcher/shortstop and exercise science major, becomes the 25th Academic All-America selection in Norwich University history and the 20th individual Cadet student-athlete to earn the distinction.  She is also the second Academic All-American in Norwich softball history, joining Emily Oliver '19, who received Third Team honors in 2019.

Her selection marks Norwich's first CSC Academic All-America honor across all sports since Ann-Frederique Guay '23 of women's ice hockey earned First Team recognition in 2023.

Established in 1952 and selected by College Sports Communicators, the Academic All-America program is the longest-running and premier award recognizing combined athletic and academic excellence across championship college sports at all NCAA levels, the NAIA, two-year colleges, and Canadian institutions.  Student-athletes must be nominated by athletics communications professionals, carry at least a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average, meet high athletic standards, and advance through the Academic All-District process before earning a place on the national ballot.

DeCota was one of just 33 NCAA Division III softball student-athletes selected to the 2026 Academic All-America teams.  She was one of 11 honorees named to the Second Team and was one of only four infielders selected to that group.

The national honor follows a dominant junior season in which DeCota was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Year and earned First Team All-Conference recognition at shortstop for the second straight season.  She became just the third GNAC Player of the Year selection in Norwich softball history, joining Heather LaBranche in 2004 and Nikki Delandy in 2006.

"I am so incredibly proud of this young woman," said Head Coach Jacqueline Patts '00.  "Not only is she recognized as GNAC Player of the Year in our conference, she is now nationally recognized for being an All-American student-athlete.  She continues to raise the bar for herself and her teammates, not only on the field, but in the classroom as well.  I couldn't be more happy for Madison.  What an accomplishment!"

DeCota put together one of the top offensive seasons in program history during the spring, leading the GNAC in batting average (.515), on-base percentage (.555), slugging percentage (.960), triples (eight), and total bases (97).  Nationally, she ranked seventh in NCAA Division III in both triples and slugging percentage, 12th in batting average, and 30th in on-base percentage.

The junior also ranked among the conference leaders in nearly every major offensive category, finishing third in the GNAC in total hits (52), second in doubles (14), second in home runs (five), ninth in runs scored (34), and 13th in runs batted in (30).  Of her 52 hits, 27 went for extra bases, helping her establish herself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the region.

DeCota delivered several of her top performances in Norwich victories.  She recorded a season-high four hits on a perfect 4-for-4 showing against Gordon College, adding a season-best two triples. She also launched a season-high two home runs against Clark University, driving in three runs, and posted season highs of six runs scored and four RBIs in Norwich's victory over Vermont State University Lyndon.

In addition to her production at the plate, DeCota carried a significant workload in the circle for the Cadets.  She finished the season with a 4.70 earned run average, nine victories, 134 innings pitched, and 70 strikeouts.  Defensively, she recorded 31 putouts and 63 assists across 97 total chances while splitting time between the pitching circle and shortstop.

DeCota's 2026 campaign continued a decorated collegiate career that began with GNAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2024.  She has since become a two-time First Team All-GNAC selection, earning the recognition in both 2025 and 2026, while developing into one of the top all-around players in Norwich softball history.

Her Academic All-America selection also reflects a sustained record of excellence away from the field.  DeCota has earned President's List honors in five of her first six semesters at Norwich while balancing the demands of being a two-way softball student-athlete, captain, and leader within the program.

In addition to her academic and athletic commitments, DeCota has been active in service and leadership roles.  She has volunteered with Special Olympics, worked with Norwich Athletics through game management work-study in key game-day positions, and coached 16U softball in her community.

DeCota joins a distinguished Norwich Academic All-America tradition that dates back to football standout Gary Fry, who became the University's first honoree in 1971.  Norwich's Academic All-Americans are recognized on the department's Academic All-America wall in Andrews Hall, which honors student-athletes who have achieved one of the rarest combinations of academic and athletic distinction.

The 2026 Academic All-America softball teams were announced by College Sports Communicators on Tuesday afternoon.  Emma Adams of Virginia Wesleyan University was named the NCAA Division III Academic All-America Team Member of the Year.
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