Oct. 30, 2008
DAYTON, Ohio - Four University of Dayton soccer players have been voted as 2008 CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 4 selections, including three student-athletes honored as first team choices.
Junior Alex Torda and sophomore Tommy Watkins were both named to the First Team Academic All-District Men's Soccer Team for the Flyers. UD senior Amanda Gallow was a First Team selection for the Academic All-District Women's Soccer Team, while sophomore Kelly Blumenschein was named Second Team All-District.
Named to the 2008 Hermann Trophy Watch List, Torda is leading the Flyers in points (19) and goals (8). The Dallas native leads the Atlantic 10 in goals scored in conference matches. He carries a 3.63 GPA in his entrepreneurship/finance major and was named to the 2007-08 A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Watkins, of Richmond, Va., is part of the Flyer rock solid defense that didn't allow an opponent goal in more than 370 minutes of play. He is majoring in pre-physical therapy and has a 3.69 GPA. He leads all UD defenders with four assists this season, which is tied for eighth in the A-10. Watkins was also named to the 2007-08 A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Gallow, a native of West Chester, Ohio, is a repeat award winner, earning CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic Third Team All-District honors last season. She holds a 3.95 GPA in pre-physical therapy and is also a leader for the Flyers on the field. She leads the team with three game-winning goals, tied for second in the A-10. She was one of 30 athletes in the nation chosen as a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. She was an Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference selection in 2006.
Blumenschein, of Beavercreek, Ohio, has tallied four goals this season, tied for second best for the Flyers. She is also second in assists (5) and points (13). She carries a 3.77 GPA in finance/entrepreneurship with a Spanish minor.
The District 4 teams are made up of student-athletes from Division I schools in Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. To be nominated, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve, and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher. Team members are selected by a vote of members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) within the district.
