Six EMU student-athletes have been honored by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID), being named to the Academic All-State Team. A total of 221 student-athletes, representing 37 schools in the state were recognized.
Those honored from Eastern Mennonite were:
Alli Eanes (Harrisonburg, Va./Westmont Hilltop), Sr., Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field, Elementary Education, 3.96 GPA. Eanes peaked as a senior, setting all of her career best times and earning All-ODAC Second Team in cross country.
Ryan Eshleman (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite), Sr., Men’s Soccer – Back, Biology/Philosophy & Theology, 3.90 GPA. Eshleman completed a stellar career in which he was a four-year starter as a center back. He also scored his first goal this year. He was given the EMU President’s Award this spring and also earned ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year, NSCAA Scholar All-Region, CoSIDA Academic All-District Team, VaSID All-State First Team, All-ODAC First Team. This is Eshleman’s third year on the Academic All-State Team.
Jonathan Leaman (Broadway, Va./Broadway), Sr., Men’s Golf, Business Administration & Accounting, 3.95 GPA. Leaman helped launch EMU’s golf program this year, and finished second on the team with an 83.3 round average.
Owen Longacre (Telford, Pa./Christopher Dock), Sr., Men’s Basketball – Forward, History/Social Science (Secondary Education Licensure), 3.91 GPA. Longacre earned a repeat spot on the Academic All-State Team, and averaged 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in his second season as a starter for the Runnin Royals.
Ian Mast (Willow Street, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite), Sr., Men’s Soccer – Midfielder, Health & Physical Education, 4.0 GPA. Mast was a vital part of the midfield for the Royals, starting 17 games and playing in all 20.
Dan Nafziger (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg), Sr., Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field, Biology/Psychology, 3.97 GPA. Nafziger had another banner year, claiming All-ODAC First Team in cross country and setting a program record on Peak View’s 8k course at 26:55.07. He also set four new EMU records during the indoor track season: 1000m (2:35.32), mile (4:26.77), 3000m (8:55.45), and distance medley relay (10:37.15).
To earn VaSID Academic All-State honors, a student-athlete must have achieved at least a 3.25 grade point average and be at least a sophomore. Each school in the state is allowed six nominees.
VaSID is comprised of sports information or athletics communications professionals from intercollegiate institutions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Membership is open to any individual affiliated with one of the state’s institutions at the NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, USCAA and community college levels, provided that individual’s area of responsibility lies within the realm of sports information.