Lewis-Clark State’s Clayton VanDyke receives third All-America Academic Honor of the Year from LC | Sports

LEWISTON – Lewis-Clark State’s Clayton VanDyke added the highest academic honor a student athlete can deserve to his already stellar 2020-21 year. The Cascade Conference Male Scholarship Athlete of the Year was voted CoSIDA’s CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American on Monday.

“I’m looking forward to Clayton and this honor,” said Head Coach Mike Collins. “In his two years here he has exceeded many expectations and continues to impress me with his dedication to excellence in his athletics and academic training, which I think will certainly apply to his future career, but apart from my pride in him and Recognizing how well he represents our cross country and track program, this honor is really thanks to his own hard work and motivation to get better. I couldn’t be happier for him this honor and recognition. “

“It was a great experience for me to compete for LC State,” said VanDyke. “I work hard so it’s really incredible that this is being recognized at such a high level. It’s all part of the responsibility to be an athlete, especially one who strongly represents what the program stands for.”

VanDyke finished the year with a GPA of 4.0 as a major in graphic communication. The native of Vernal, Utah, was the National Runner-Up in two events this season and achieved All-American status in three events this season. He came in second nationwide over the 1,000 m halls and 1,500 m in the open air and came fifth over the 800 m open air. VanDyke was the Cascade Conference Champion over 800m and 1,500m and received All-Conference status with his third place in the Conference Cross Country Championship. In addition to his athletic success, he has used his graphic skills as an intern in the LC State’s sports department and the 2021 Avista NAIA World Series souvenir shirt, the latest CCC SAAC logo, the LC State SAAC logo, and the 2021 logo designed LCSPYs.

VanDyke is the third warrior to be named CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American this year, alongside men’s basketball players Hodges Bailey and baseball player Jack Johnson. He is the second men’s cross-country / track and field athlete to be named First-Team Academic All-American in program history, with Cole Olsen earning the honor last season.

To be nominated, a student athlete must be a starter or key reserve with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30. The award takes into account the performance of an athlete in his sport as well as in class.