ATLANTA, GA — Carroll University women's basketball standout Natalie Gricius has been named a 2026 WBCA NCAA Division III Coaches' All-American, as announced by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association on Wednesday, marking a historic first for the Carroll women's basketball program.

Gricius becomes the first student-athlete in Carroll University history to earn WBCA Coaches' All-America recognition, an accolade that has been awarded annually since 1983. The honor places Gricius among the elite players in NCAA Division III and represents one of the highest individual achievements in collegiate women's basketball. Carroll has had honorable mentions before, but never an All-American selected to the team. 

A senior forward from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Gricius capped a remarkable 2025-26 season with the national recognition after producing one of the most accomplished campaigns in program history. She finished the season as Carroll's single-season scoring record holder, leading the Pioneers offensively while consistently performing against top regional and national competition. She also eclipsed the 1500 point and 500 rebound marks this season, making her just the third Pioneer to accomplish this feat. 

In addition to her WBCA Coaches' All-America selection, Gricius earned All-Region Player of the Year honors, was named to the First Team All-Region, and was selected to compete in the 2026 WBCA Women's Collegiate All-Star Game, further underscoring her national impact. The All-America recognition crowns a season defined by record-breaking performances, durability, and leadership.

The WBCA Coaches' All-America teams are selected by the WBCA NCAA Division III Awards Committee, with all nominees put forward by WBCA member head coaches from across the country. Gricius was selected as one of just 10 players nationally to receive the honor, joining standout student-athletes from some of Division III's most prominent programs.

Beyond her individual accolades, Gricius served as the centerpiece of Carroll's offense and a steady presence on both ends of the floor throughout the season. Her impact extended well beyond the stat sheet, as she helped elevate the visibility of the Carroll women's basketball program on the national stage.

Gricius' historic selection as Carroll's first-ever WBCA Coaches' All-American represents a defining milestone for the program and a fitting capstone to a career marked by consistency, excellence, and record-setting achievement.

For more information on WBCA Coaches All-Americans and the rest of the selections, follow the link here: https://wbca.org/news/ncaa-division-iii-honorees-for-2025-26-season/