By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University thrower Hans Lehndorff (Sr., Boulder, CO/Boulder HS)  has been chosen First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII in the men's track and field and cross country category for NCAA Division III, as chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America. By being named First Team Academic All-District, Lehndorff is eligible for the 2015-16 CoSIDA NCAA Division III Academic All-America Team, which will be released on Wednesday, June 22.

A total of 10 athletes were selected for the Academic All-District VIII Team. Lehndorff was one of four athletes chosen from the Northwest Conference.

First Team CoSIDA Academic All-District

Hans Lehndorff (Sr.) set personal records in the discus throw and the shot put this season. His top mark in the discus covered 158' 2" and moved him into third place on Willamette's all-time list. It was the best throw by a Bearcat athlete since 1963. Lehndorff's top throw in the shot put covered 52' 5.25". He moved into fifth place all-time at Willamette.

His best discus throw was earned on his sixth and final attempt at the 2016 Northwest Conference Championships. It vaulted him into first place as he won his second NWC discus title. He also took first place in the discus in 2014. Lehndorff placed fourth in the discus in 2013 and was fifth in 2015.

Lehndorff placed second in the NWC this year in the shot put. He concluded the season ranked 26th in NCAA Division III in the discus and ranked 31st in the shot put.

At Willamette, Lehndorff completed a double major in Economics and Religious Studies. He earned a 3.92 cumulative grade point average. He was recently inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.

Lehndorff was chosen to receive the 2015-16 J.H. Booth Award as Willamette's top senior men's athlete. Criteria for the award include developing and demonstrating strong leadership skills and outstanding athleticism, while maintaining a high rank of scholarship.

In addition, Lehndorff earned the Men's Senior Scholar-Athlete Award after having achieved the highest cumulative grade point average among graduating seniors on Willamette's men's teams.

CoSIDA District VIII

CoSIDA District VIII includes colleges and universities in the western United States. Athletes nominated for the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team were starters or key reserves with cumulative GPAs of 3.3 or higher (4.0 scale). Each athlete was at his current college or university for at least one academic year.