ERIE, Pa. – Penn State Behrend men's soccer senior Nick Schwarzel (South Park, PA/South Park) and juniors Richard Blanchard (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep) and Michael DiCola (Beaver, PA/Beaver) have been named to the 2019 Academic All-District 4 First Team, selected by CoSIDA.
All three are earning this honor for the first time in their careers. The All-District Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. First-team Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. First-, second- and third-team (when selected) Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in December.
Schwarzel, a interdisciplinary business with engineering studies and supply chain management dual majors, has a 3.94 GPA over his first three years at Behrend. The senior is a three-time Academic All-AMCC honoree and is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma honor society. Schwarzel is also two-time All-AMCC selection, earning first-team honors in 2017 and landing on the second team a year ago. He ranks third on the team with eight goals and one assist for 17 points as a defender. Schwarzel has converted 5-of-7 penalty kicks this season and helped Behrend post a 0.68 goals-against average.
Blanchard, a finance major, supports a 3.48 grade-point average in his four semesters with the Lions. The junior leads the team with 12 goals and 13 assists for 37 points. Blanchard is first in the AMCC in assists and is third in points. He was an All-AMCC third-team choice in his first two seasons as well as a two-time Academic All-AMCC selection. Blanchard has started every game this season has 11 multiple-point games, including a career-high six with three goals against Penn State Altoona.
DiCola, an electrical engineering major, has held a 3.92 GPA throughout his collegiate career. The junior is a two-time Academic All-AMCC choice and a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma honor society. He is also a Fellowship of Christian Athlete. DiCola has started every game this season and is tied for fourth on the team with 17 points. He has scored six goals and dished out five assists.