2012-13 Capital One Academic All-District Men's Track/Cross Country Team

San Francisco, CA -- After proving his ability to excel both on and off the track this past season, senior Erik Piedad received national recognition Thursday in being named to the 2012-13 Capital One Academic All-District Men's Track/Cross Country Team. Piedad, an outstanding student in the School of Interior Architecture & Design, finished off his intercollegiate career competing in the men's 4x100m relay at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships this past week. 

"I couldn't be more proud of Erik for receiving this award," head coach Charles Ryan said. "He has been with this program from day one and is the epitome of what an artist-athlete should be. Erik has worked diligently in the classroom as well as on the track. I've seen his athletic potential grow exponentially in my three years here and I know he puts equal if not more work into his academics. I have no doubt that someday he will be a leader in his industry of choice."

Student-athletes were selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and recognized as the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.

To qualify for the CoSIDA All-District Men's Track/Cross Country Team in Division II, a student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or greater through the most-recent semester, must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's meets, and completed one full calendar year at his institution. A total of 99 student-athletes representing 71 Division II institutions met these requirements.

This season, Piedad's second consecutive stint as team captain, featured a variety of accomplishments by the senior. On an individual level, Piedad achieved personal records in two events (100m, 400m), but it was his success as part of both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams that elevated him to a national contender. A USTFCCCA NCAA DII Indoor All-Region Team (4x100m) and All-PacWest Second Team (4x400m), recipient, Piedad ran the third leg in ART U's 8th-ranked 4x100m relay team (40.38) and helped set new school records in both relays. On top of that, he posted a sparkling 3.43 GPA as a Interior Architecture & Design major.

There are eight districts in all and three separate teams for NCAA Division I, II and III as well as a College Division, which includes NAIA, Canadian and junior colleges. District 8 includes the PacWest, California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). Academic All-District honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-America Team ballot. The Capital One Division II Academic All-American Team will be announced in June.