LA MIRADA, Calif. --- A total of five Biola fall sport athletes earned the prestigious CoSIDA/Capital One College Division Academic All-District VIII honors as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and announced on Monday. The honor recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and academically.
A trio of athletes repeated all-district honors. They are senior Taylor Lundquist from the women's soccer team and volleyball players Emily Weingartner and Amy Weststeyn. Representing the men's soccer team were juniors Scott Hayes and Daniel Chew.
Lundquist, a senior from San Jose, posted a GPA of 3.91 while pursuing a degree in liberal studies. A midfielder/defender, Lundquist wrapped up her career with the Eagles by scoring two goals and adding three assists this season while starting all 20 matches. She led the team in minutes played with 1,770 minutes, appearing on the pitch in all but 45 minutes over the course of the year. Lundquist was a First-Team CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII selection last year and has been a Dean's List pick all four semesters at Biola thus far.
Weingartner, a junior from Arvada, Colo., had the highest individual GPA of any of the honorees at 3.98, is pursuing a degree in kinesiology. On the court, Weingartner saw limited action this year after suffering a late injury. However, she appeared in 23 of the team's 31 matches. Weingartner averaged 2.22 digs per set this year and committed just 13 serve reception errors for a .928 reception percentage. She was also a First-Team CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII selection last season.
Weststeyn, a sophomore from Visalia, Calif., posted a 3.88 GPA while working toward a journalism degree at Biola. Weststeyn, the NAIA Freshman of the Year last season, ranked third in the NAIA with a .407 attack percentage and led the GSAC in blocking with a 1.04 blocks per set average. In addition, she was among the GSAC leaders in kills with 260 and earned All-GSAC honors as well. Weststeyn was also a First-Team CoSIDA All-District VIII pick.
Hayes, a junior from Folsom, Calif., recorded a 3.96 GPA in his work toward an international culture studies degree. Hayes, a key part of Biola's back line, helping the Eagles to the GSAC semifinals and a 11-7-1 record. He was among the team leaders in minutes played and picked up an assist during the season as well. Overall, he helped the Eagles hold opponents to just 24 goals on the year.
Chew, also a junior who hails from Lake Forest, Calif., had a 3.50 GPA while pursuing a business administration degree. Chew had a breakout season on the field, tying for the team lead by scoring eight goals while adding a pair of assists. He appeared in all 19 games for the Eagles and was among the team leaders in minutes played.
The college division first-team is comprised of the NAIA, Canadian and junior colleges in Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Alaska and the 13 provinces and territories in Canada. To be nominated for all-district consideration, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) for her career. No athlete is eligible until he/she has reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and has spent at least one year at the school.
As members of the district's first-team, all five student-athletes are now eligible to earn CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America honors. A school record 10 student-athletes earned Academic All-America recognition last year and 15 have been honored overall. The 2012 Soccer Academic All-American college division teams are scheduled to be announced on Monday, November 26 with the volleyball team announced on Monday, December 10.
