LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola University midfielder J.T. Searles has been named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII Men's Soccer team.

The honor, which is given to student-athletes from NCAA Division II, III and the NAIA who perform well on the field as well as in the classroom, is voted on and awarded by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Searles, a senior from Huntington Beach, led the Eagles in points with 12 after scoring four goals and four assists in his final collegiate campaign. He also excelled in the classroom where he maintained a 3.86 GPA in Biblical Studies.

Last week, Searles was honored as an All-GSAC selection for the second straight year.

Searles is one of only two NAIA representatives to receive the honor in District VIII, which comprises nine western states and two Canadian provinces. The other is Ron Smith of Westmont.

By earning All-District honors, Searles is now moves onto the national ballot where he can earn Academic All-American honors.

Biola's men's soccer team finished the 2006 season with a 9-6-1 overall record, falling 1-0 to No. 4 Concordia in overtime in its NAIA Region II First-Round playoff game on Wednesday.

2006 ESPN The Magazine All-District 8
GK- Kevin Bostock, Whitworth
MF- Adam Jensen, Seattle
MF- J.T. Searles, Biola
MF- Ron Smith, Westmont
D- Hans Esterhuizen, Seattle
D- Brett Cook, Sonoma State
D- Drew Macha, Seattle Pacific
D- Dustin Tannenhaus, UC San Diego
D- Brian Zaro, George Fox
F- Andrew Bailey, Sonoma State
F- Ross Schunk, Redlands
F- James Coggan, Seattle Pacific