Men's Track and Field | 08.09.2021

LEWISTON, Idaho – Clayton VanDyke added to his already superb 2020-21 year with the top academic honor a student-athlete can earn. The Cascade Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year was voted a CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American, announced by CoSIDA on Monday.
 
"I am excited for Clayton and this honor," Head Coach Mike Collins said. "In his two years here, he has gone above and beyond many expectations and continues to impress me with his commitment to excellence in his athletics and his academics, and what I believe will surely apply towards his future career. I wish I could take credit for it, but other than my pride in him and the recognition of how well he represents out cross country and track program, this honor is truly due to his own hard work and motivation to be better. I couldn't be happier for him for this honor and recognition."
 
"It has been an awesome experience for me to compete for LC State," VanDyke said. "I work hard, so to have that recognized at such a high level is really incredible. It is all part of the responsibility of being an athlete, especially one who heavily represents what the program stands for."
 
VanDyke finished the year with a 4.0 GPA as a Graphics Communications major. The Vernal, Utah native was the National Runner-Up in two events and earned All-American status in three events this season. He finished second in the nation in the indoor 1,000m and the outdoor 1,500m, and was fifth in the outdoor 800m. VanDyke was the Cascade Conference Champion in the 800m and 1,500m, and earned all-conference status with his third-place finish at the conference cross country championship. On top of his athletic success, he has applied his graphic skills as an intern in the LC State athletic department and designed the 2021 Avista NAIA World Series souvenir shirt, the latest CCC SAAC logo, the LC State SAAC logo and the logo for the 2021 LCSPYs.
 
VanDyke is the third Warrior to be named a CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American this year, joining men's basketball's Hodges Bailey and baseball's Jack Johnson. He is the second men's cross country/track and field athlete to be named a 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 important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA. The award considers an athlete's performance in their sport, as well as in the classroom.
 
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