McCandless Named to RMAC Academic Honor Roll

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) officially recognized excellence in the classroom this week, announcing the 2025-26 Academic honour Roll for women’s golf. Among the honorees is Black Hills State University’s Olivia McCandless, who earned a spot on the list for the second consecutive year.

Did You Know? To qualify for the RMAC Academic honour Roll, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.30 grade-point average, complete two consecutive semesters at their institution and have utilized a season of competition.

A Consistent Performer on the Course

McCandless concluded her time at Black Hills State University with a cumulative 3.32 GPA. Her academic recognition follows a busy spring campaign where she participated in all four events for the Yellow Jackets.

Her standout performance arrived at the Augustana Spring Invite, where she secured a tie for 22nd place. That outing featured a sharp second-round 79 (+7), contributing to a total score of 163 (+19) for the tournament.

Expert Insight: Balancing the rigors of collegiate golf travel—including trips to Arizona for the SMSU classic and various conference championship sites—with the academic standards required for the RMAC honour Roll is a significant achievement. Maintaining this level of consistency over multiple years speaks to the discipline required of student-athletes in the RMAC.

Looking Ahead

Having now graduated from the university, McCandless leaves behind a season defined by her participation in the SMSU classic, the Augustana Spring Invite, and the RMAC Championships. As she moves forward from her undergraduate career, her experience navigating the demands of high-level competition and academic excellence could serve as a foundation for her future professional pursuits.

For the Black Hills State University women’s golf programme, the departure of a repeat academic honoree may necessitate a focus on developing new leadership. The team will likely look to integrate returning players who can mirror the academic stability McCandless established during her tenure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to be named to the RMAC Academic honour Roll?

Student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA as an undergraduate or graduate student, have completed two consecutive semesters at their institution, and have used a season of competition.

NCAA Golf Highlights: Division 1 Women's Golf Championship | Golf Channel

How did Olivia McCandless perform during the Spring season?

McCandless participated in all four spring events. Her highlights included a tie for 22nd place at the Augustana Spring Invite with a 163 (+19) and appearances at the SMSU classic and the RMAC Championships.

Is this the first time Olivia McCandless has received this honour?

No, McCandless was also named to the Academic honour Roll during the previous year.

How do you think the rigorous schedule of collegiate sports influences the academic performance of student-athletes?