Heiniger Named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Team
UPLAND, Ind. – Teegan Heiniger became the latest Taylor University student-athlete to be named a College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District standout, earning a spot on the NAIA Men’s At-Large District II Team on Thursday.
Heiniger was one of three men’s lacrosse student-athletes out of 10 total individuals to be honored from NAIA District II, which includes all NAIA institutions from the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The At-Large Teams include the sports of lacrosse, rifle, skiing, fencing, swimming, tennis, golf, men’s volleyball, gymnastics, water polo, hockey and wrestling.
Heiniger was tabbed for CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in his first year of eligibility and becomes the second Taylor men’s lacrosse student-athlete to receive the prestigious honor. The sophomore faceoff specialist and midfielder owns a 3.96 grade-point average in engineering and has started each of TU’s 13 games in program history. Over that time, Heiniger has picked up 82 ground balls, 163 faceoff wins, six goals and 11 assists.
Heiniger’s honor moves TU’s nation-leading total of CoSIDA Academic All-District selections for the 2019-2020 year to 33. The sophomore will now advance to the ballot for the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team, which will be announced in June.
The CoSIDA Academic All-District award is designed to recognize student-athletes for outstanding achievements in the classroom, as well as on the court or field of play. In order to be eligible for the honor, an athlete must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30, must have reached sophomore status academically with at least one full year at their current institution and must have participated in over half of the team’s competitions as a key contributor during the current season.
Student-athletes are nominated for the award by their institution’s Sports Information Department and voted on by members of CoSIDA. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 teams were selected based on career accomplishments, in addition to the criteria listed above.