COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Six members of the No. 1-ranked Fort Lewis College men’s soccer team earned Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference All-Academic accolades, RMAC Assistant Commissioner Eric Danner announced today.

Senior defenders Berekk Blackwell and Fabian Kling were named to the RMAC All-Academic first team. Sophomore forward Jordan Alexander and senior midfielder Joey Madigan were named to the second team. Redshirt freshman defender Johannes Sander and junior midfielder Daniel Wilson were named to the RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll.                                            

“I think it’s a mark of how much commitment they’ve put into being a student-athlete,” said third-year FLC skipper Oige Kennedy. “Obviously there’s a balance between being the No. 1 team in the country and putting in extra effort in the classroom. It’s nice to see them rewarded for all of their hard work.”

Blackwell, a graduate of Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz., has a 3.80 GPA in Business Administration-Finance. He was previously named to the RMAC All-Academic second team in 2010 and is a two-time recipient of the D2 Athletic Directors Association/WeatherPORT Academic Achievement Award. Blackwell has scored one goal while helping the Skyhawk defense hold opponents to just four goals in 12 games so far during 2011 and the lowest goals against average (0.33 per game) in the nation. During his four-year career, Blackwell has tallied seven total points on three goals and one assist.

Kling, a graduate of Holbein Gymnasium in Augsburg, Germany, carries a 3.39 GPA in Exercise Science-Sport Administration. While the award was Kling’s first academic accolade, his career is marked with distinction on the pitch. He was named to the All-America third teams by both NSCAA and Daktronics in 2010, was picked as the 2011 RMAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, has been named to four All-Central Region teams during his career, was a second team All-RMAC pick in 2010, and a first team All-RMAC selection as a true freshman in 2008. Despite playing central defense, Kling ranks seventh in FLC in goals (25) and 11th in total points (55). He’s notched 10 total points (four goals, two assists) thus far in 2011.

Alexander, who hails from Cambridgeshire, England, carries a 3.35 GPA in English/Communications. He was chosen as RMAC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 3 and leads the team in goals in 2011 with six. Through his first two seasons, Alexander has amassed 27 total points (11 goals, five assists).

Madigan, a graduate of Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colo., maintains a 3.45 GPA in Exercise Science-Sport Administration. He currently has 10 total points (four goals, two assists) in 2011. Through his first two seasons, Madigan has scored 23 career points (eight goals, seven assists).

Sander, a graduate of Gymnasium Scolose Overhagen in Erwite, Germany, has a 3.63 GPA in Exercise Science-Sport Administration. He scored his first collegiate goal — a game-winner — in FLC’s 4-1 win at Colorado Mines on Sept. 30. As a central defender, he has played a huge role in his team’s 0.33 goals against average and eight shutouts.

Wilson, a graduate of Smith High School in Gilbert, Ariz., maintains a 3.44 GPA in Exercise Science-Athletic Training. He made his Skyhawk debut in a 6-1 win over Adams State on Sept. 23.

To qualify for Academic All-RMAC, student-athletes must have a GPA of 3.30 or better, be a starter or reserve, and completed two consecutive semesters or three quarters at their current institution. The student-athlete’s cumulative GPA is what they had earned prior to soccer season beginning. RMAC sports information directors at schools that sponsor the sport of women’s soccer selected first and second teams.

Fort Lewis hits the road for a match at Colorado Mesa (3-9-1, 3-6-0) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Walker Field. The Skyhawks then play a pair of home matches this weekend. FLC hosts No. 18 Metro State (7-4-1, 5-3-0) at 3:30 p.m. Friday and Regis (7-2-1, 4-2-1) at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

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