AUSTIN, Texas --- The pair of academics and athletics combined perfectly for Nolan Rapp. The junior water polo student-athlete earned his way to the CSC Academic All-America Men's At-Large Second Team, as announced on Wednesday through his talents in the pool and in the classroom.

"Nolan is an incredible young man who is a disciplined, driven and determined athlete who strives to continually improve his skills and make his team better in any way that is asked of him," commented Biola Men's Water Polo Head Coach Rick Nordell. "Nolan is very well rounded, as he not only excels in the pool, but also in the classroom as a STEM major looking to go into the medical field after his time here at Biola." 

The College Sports Communicators selected three teams and a total of 50 student-athletes to the academic all-america list. The 50 award-winners spanned a range of six sports within NCAA DII. Nolan Rapp was the only water polo player selected to the CSC Academic All-America Men's At-Large NCAA DII Teams.

Rapp did everything for the Eagles on the way to the CSC Academic All-America Second Team nod. Most notably, at the conclusion of the 2023 season, Rapp was named the best player in all of NCAA DII, as the ACWPC DII Player of the Year. The accolades continued to roll in with a Division II ACWPC First Team All-American, First Team All-WWPA, and WWPA All-Defensive Team selections.

"Nolan has contributed greatly to our team's success these past years," added Nordell. "He has led our team in points for the last two years and holds the Biola record for points, assists and steals."

In 2023, Rapp found the back of the net 55 times and dished out 62 assists for the Eagles. The junior added to the defensive effort with 47 steals and five field blocks. He also earned a WWPA Player of the Week on October 11.

Rapp's academic excellence was well documented with multiple awards, already this year. His 3.80 GPA in Public Health earned an opportunity for Tuesday's honor with a CSC Academic All-District award given out in late June. He has also nabbed WWPA All-Academic Team and ACWPC All-Academic Team recognitions.