GILBERT, Texas – Lamar University junior Stefano Chappuis, sophomore Maxwell Lindstedt and freshman Axel Bergh have been named 2026 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar Athletes announced organization officials Tuesday afternoon. In addition to the individual honors, the entire team also received 2026 ITA All-Academic Team honors. It marks the 11th time in Shankles' career that Big Red has received the national academic honor.
 
To be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, student-athletes must achieve and maintain a 3.5 grade-point average and be eligible to play during the current academic year. For the team to receive the honor, all student-athlete GPAs had to be included and the team must maintain a 3.2 GPA throughout the entire year.
 
This trio played a huge role in Lamar's chase for the Southland title. Big Red went into the final day of the season fighting for at least a share of the title before coming up just short. The trio combined to win 38 matches on the season, with Lindstedt becoming one of the league's top newcomers posting nine singles wins (the majority spent at the No. 2 position) and 14 doubles wins (13 of which came at the No. 1 spot).
 
Bergh was another newcomer for Red and White in 2026 who served as a doubles specialist ranking among the team leaders in wins. Chappuis spent his junior season playing three different singles positions (Nos. 3, 5 and 6) posting six wins.
 
This trio returns to form what will be a formidable Cardinal squad in 2027. Lamar is slated to return its top six singles players from this past season.