Edelen, Burnett, and Herman Highlight All-GAC Recognition
FORT SMITH, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced its 2025-26 GAC Women's Basketball awards and All-GAC teams on Wednesday, with three members of the East Central University women's basketball program earning conference recognition.
Junior forward
Katie Edelen garnered All-GAC Second Team honors for the second consecutive season after another standout year for the Tigers. Edelen played a pivotal role in ECU's success, leading the team in several key statistical categories, including 13.4 points per game, 181 total rebounds, and 20 blocks. She scored in double figures in 18 games this season, highlighted by four 20-point performances.
Freshman
Rylie Burnett earned All-GAC Honorable Mention recognition after emerging as one of ECU's top contributors during the 2025-26 campaign. In her first collegiate season, Burnett delivered multiple impactful performances in conference play and established herself as a reliable two-way presence for the Tigers. She leads the team in minutes played, averaging 34.8 per contest, and paces ECU with 64 assists while contributing 11.2 points per game.
Highlighting ECU's success in the classroom,
Makenzy Herman was named a GAC Elite Scholar Athlete. The Elite Scholar Athlete honor is awarded to student-athletes who maintain the highest cumulative grade point average among teams competing in the GAC Tournament. Herman was one of just seven student-athletes across the conference to receive the distinction.
Claira Dannefer,
Katie Edelen,
Eva Fernandez,
Tatum Havens,
Ella Lavigne,
Natalie Milwood,
Peyton Mosley,
Natalie Payne, and
Jayden Weiberg also shined academically as they were named to the GAC Academic Honor Roll for their excellence in the classroom.
The No. 7 Tigers will now prepare to face No. 2 Northwestern Oklahoma State in Thursday's quarterfinal matchup at 2:15 p.m.
