AMHERST, Mass. - Six members of the Amherst Men's Cross Country and Track and Field teams were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, it was announced last week. Junior Michael Abbey Jr. (Yonkers, N.Y.), senior captains Ben Davis (New York, N.Y.) and Jordan Harrison (Solon, Ohio), sophomore Ian Irwin (North Adelaide, South Australia), and seniors Will Nagy (West Chester, Pa.) and Alexander Nichols ( Rye, N.Y.) were a part of this year's selections.

Formerly known as the College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA), the CSC divides the NCAA institutions into nine geographic districts, with Amherst being located in District One. To be nominated, student-athletes must be a significant contributor to their team with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at their current institution. In Cross Country/Track & Field, nominees must be ranked among the Top 50 in the region in at least one event (cross country, indoor or outdoor). 

Abbey Jr., a neuroscience major, earns his second CSC Academic All-District nomination. He finished 21st in the region in high jump (1.82 meters), 11th in the region in long jump (6.81 meters), and first in the region in triple jump (14.90 meters) this past outdoor season. Abbey Jr. competed at the NCAA Championships in triple jump where he broke the school record that he previously had set by jumping 15.08 meters and finished sixth in the event earning a spot on the All-American First Team. He also earned All-NESCAC recognition and USTFCCCA All-Region recognition for his triple jump performance this outdoor season. In the indoor season, Abbey Jr. was ranked 26th in long jump (6.49 meters) and first in the region in triple jump (14.57 meters). He helped in the field at the New England Division III Indoor Championships by taking home the triple jump title, and earned USTFCCCA All-Region recognition for triple jump.

Davis, a neuroscience major, earned his third consecutive CSC Academic All-District nomination and is looking for his second straight Academic All-American nod. He finished 19th in the region in the 400 meters (49.27), fifth in the region in the 800 meters (1:51.93),and helped earn second in the region in the 4x400 meter relay (3:12.68) this past outdoor season. He earned All-NESCAC and USTFCCCA All-Region recognition for his 800 meters performance, All-NESCAC recognition for his 4x800 meter relay performance, and USTFCCCA All-Region for his 4x400 meter relay performance. In the indoor season, Davis earned All-American First Team recognition for his 800 meter contribution to the distance medley relay at the NCAA Indoor Championships where the relay took second place. Davis was ranked 18th in the region in the 400 meters (49.77), second in the 800 meters (1:52.44), and second on the distance medley relay team (9:41.76). Davis also picked up USTFCCCA All-Region recognition this past indoor season in the 800 meters and part of the distance medley relay.

Harrison, a political science and psychology double major, picked up his first nod to the CSC Academic All-District team in his final season with the Mammoths. He finished with the top time in the Mideast region in the 100 meters (10.52) and aided the top time in the 4x100 meter relay (40.92) this outdoor season. Harrison was one of the four members of the 4x100 meter relay team that went and competed in the NCAA Championships where they finished in eighth place (40.95) after putting up a school record time in the preliminary races the day before (40.74). He earned USTFCCCA All-Region for his 100 meter performance and All-NESCAC and USTFCCCA All-Region in the 4x100 meter relay. In the indoor season, Harrison was ranked second in the region in the 60 meters (6.8), 11th in the 200 meters (21.98), and third on the 4x400 relay team (3:19.13). He was also recognized by the USTFCCCA on their All-Region team for the 60 meters and the 4x400 relay.

Irwin, an art and the history of art double major, adds his first CSC Academic All-District into all of his accolades from his sophomore year. He finished eighth in the region in the 100 meters (10.69) and aided the top time in the 4x100 meter relay (40.92). Irwin was one of the four members of the 4x100 meter relay team that went and competed in the NCAA Championships where they finished in eighth place (40.95) after putting up a school record time in the preliminary races the day before (40.74). He earned All-NESCAC and USTFCCCA All-Region in both the 100 meter race and the 4x100 meter relay. In the indoor season, Irwin ranked tenth in the region in the 60 meters (6.96) and 17th in the 200 meters (22.22).

Nagy, a computer science and environmental studies double major, picked up his first nod to the CSC Academic All-District team in his final season with the Mammoths. He finished 16th in the region in the 800 meters (1:54.40) this outdoor season. He earned All-NESCAC in his participation on the 4x800 meter relay. In the indoor season, Nagy earned All-American First Team recognition for his 1,200 meter contribution to the distance medley relay at the NCAA Indoor Championships where the relay took second place. He ranked fourth in the region in the 800 meters (1:54.77), 30th in the mile (4:18.62), and second on the distance medley relay (9:41.76). Nagy earned All-Region from the USTFCCCA in the 800 meters and the distance medley relay.

Nichols, a computer science major, picked up his first nod to the CSC Academic All-District team in his final season with the Mammoths. He finished ninth in the region in the 100 meters (10.72), 18th in the region in the 200 meters (22.05), and aided the top time in the 4x100 meter relay (40.92) this outdoor season. Nichols was one of the four members of the 4x100 meter relay team that went and competed in the NCAA Championships where they finished in eighth place (40.95) after putting up a school record time in the preliminary races the day before (40.74). He earned All-NESCAC and USTFCCCA All-Region for his performance on the 4x100 relay team. In the indoor season, Nichols ranked 13th in the region in the 60 meters (6.98) and 12th in the 200 meters (21.99).