Central’s Larson on Academic All-America squad
PELLA — National champion decathlete Eric Larson (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) has landed yet another honor as he was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Division III men’s track and field/cross country team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
A second-team honoree, Larson carries a 3.34 cumulative grade point average with an economics major.
To be eligible for academic all-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity contributor, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better and have reached sophomore standing. CoSIDA members first submit ballots for a district team before selected nominees advance for consideration on the national squad.
The Capital One Division II and III Academic All-America® program is financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures, to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the program.
Larson captured the NCAA Division III heptathlon crown at the indoor national track and field championships in Naperville, Ill. in March, then took the Division III decathlon title at the outdoor championships at La Crosse, Wis. in May. He recorded six personal bests in the 10 decathlon events at the national meet, and racked up a career-best 6,969 points. It’s the third straight year that a Central student-athlete has claimed the decathlon crown. Larson was fifth in the decathlon as a freshman last year.
It’s the 50th time that a Central student-athlete has received academic all-America distinction and it’s the third time the honor has gone to a member of the Dutch men’s track and field squad. Previous track and field honorees were Bryan George in 2006 and Ben Bollard in 2007.
