Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

May 19, 2022 - For the second time in their careers, Loras College wrestling student-athletes Shane Liegel and Zeke Smith were named to the 2021-22 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 8 Men's At-Large Team on Thursday for their excellence both on the mat and in the classroom.

To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must compete in one of the 16 at-large sports and carry a GPA of 3.30 of higher. Student-athletes also must have competed in two season and be sophomore standing or higher.

Liegel, a business administration and accounting major with a 3.92 GPA from Spring Green, Wis., is a three-time All-American for the Duhawks at 184 lbs. and a three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American. The junior compiled a record of 29-3 in 2021-22 with 15 wins by fall and went on a dominating 19-match win streak during the season en route to a fourth-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Division III National Championship. Liegel was the 2021 NWCA Division III National Champion and has a 69-8 career record.

Smith, an engineering and Spanish double major with a 3.98 GPA from Prairie du Sac, Wis., is a two-time All-American for the Duhawks and posted a 17-6 record at 157 lbs. this season. He was the Lower Midwest regional runner-up in 2021-22 and qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championship. He is a three-time American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) All-Academic team member and two-time NWCA Scholar All-American.

As first team honorees, both Liegel and Smith advance to the Academic All-America ballot and look to collect their second career honors. The 2021-22 CoSIDA Academic All-America Men's At-Large Team will be announced on June 14.