INDIANAPOLIS – The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) has announced its 2020-21 NAIA Academic All-American Cross Country/Track & Field First Team. Eastern Oregon University had one student-athlete make the team in Hunter Nichols.
 
For Nichols, he was named a Second Team Academic All-American and it is his first career CoSIDA Academic All-American honor. To qualify, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.30 GPA to be nominated and should be a significant contributor to their teams. Academically, Nichols sports a 3.83 GPA while majoring in Biology. He was named to the U.S. Bank All-Academic Team in both cross country and track & field for the 2020-21 academic year. He was also named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team.
 
Nichols was a stout competitor for the Mountaineers during the 2020-21 academic year. He was a top-two runner during the cross country season for EOU and during a shortened indoor season, he was still able to qualify for the National Championships in the 1,000-meter run. Nichols went on to garner All-American status in 1,000 as he placed fifth running a 2:32.51. During the outdoor season, Nichols had a pair of runner-up finishes at the CCC Championship meet. He was second in both the 800 and 1,500-meter run. His efforts were key in helping the Mountaineer men win the CCC Outdoor Title. He qualified for the 2021 Outdoor National Championships in the 800 and placed 14th overall. During the cross country season, he finished 26th at the CCC Championships.

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