Weldemicael Tabbed Capital One First Team Academic All-American
MEDIA, Pennsylvania -- Junior men's soccer player Manny Weldemicael (Philadelphia, Pa./Wyoming Park) made history as he became the first student-athlete in Penn State Brandywine history to earn Capital One/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American honors on Thursday.
One of 11 student-athletes selected to the first team, Weldemicael is also the first-ever student-athlete from the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference to garner the prestigious award and was the only player in the college division, male or female, recognized from a college or university in Pennsylvania.
Brandywine is now the fourth campus in the Penn State University system to claim an academic all-American student-athlete, joining Altoona (1), Behrend (5) and Main Campus (186).
A psychology major who holds a 3.73 grade-point average, Weldemicael was selected from a pool of 44 candidates from non-NCAA colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada who had earned academic all-district accolades earlier this fall. Student-athletes must hold at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA, be at least sophomore academic status, and play a vital role on their respective squad.The academic all-American teams are voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Weldemicael is also a two-time USCAA National Academic Team honoree after earning the distinction in 2013 and 2014 and has twice earned PSUAC All-Academic Team laurels.
This fall, Weldemicael helped Brandywine claim its second consecutive PSUAC championship and automatic bid to the USCAA Tournament. One of two Lions to start all 21 matches, Weldemicael earned First Team All-PSUAC accolades after collecting 10 goals and five assist for 25 points.
Since 1952, CoSIDA has honored the top student-athletes from all championship sports sponsored at the varsity collegiate level with the prestigious academic all-American award.
