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General Written by James Tsitakis-Cecil

Seven `Runners Earn Academic All-District Honors

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The 2023 Academic All-District® Men's and Women's Soccer Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The Cal State Bakersfield Athletics Department has produced seven Roadrunners – two men and five women – that earned Academic All-District honors on Tuesday.

Men

Representing Interim Head Coach Adam Grant and the CSUB men's soccer team, newcomers Haruya Iwasaki and Connor Mautino became Academic All-District honorees in a historic season for the `Runners.

Iwasaki, a junior defender, transferred to Bakersfield from Fort Hays State and started all 17 games this season, leading the team with 1,500 minutes on the pitch. After earning all-conference and all-region honors last season for Fort Hays State, the Tokyo-native scored three points on the season, including the game-winning goal against Fresno Pacific on Sep. 10. He holds a 3.98 cumulative GPA as a Business Administration major.

Star striker Mautino came to Bakersfield as a transfer from Lake Erie College. The junior from Lake Forest, Calif. made an immediate impact leading the line for the `Runners. He topped the team with 6 goals and 12 points, while converting 3-of-4 penalty kicks and spending 1,131 minutes on the pitch in 16 starts. He holds a 3.76 cumulative GPA as he works on his Finance degree.

Women

On the women's side, first-year Head Coach Bernardo Silva enjoyed a quintet of `Runners earning the prestigious distinction: Karen Flores, Hollee Hercik, Hildur Jonasdottir, Dome Rodriguez, and Penny Smith.

For the second year in a row, Ecuadorian national team members Flores and Rodriguez earned Academic All-District honors. Rodriguez, fresh off an All-Big West Honorable Mention, led the team with 3 goals and 7 points through 16 starts. Flores collected 2 goals and 5 points while also playing 16 games. Flores earned a 3.83 GPA and Rodriguez represented with a 3.89 GPA. Jonasdottir helped anchor the midfield, playing 1,022 minutes and 17 games while scoring 1 goal. She earned a 3.88 GPA. Goalkeeper Hercik and Defender Smith both led the team in minutes played from the box and outfield, respectively. 

Academic All-District and All-America

Nominated student-athletes must meet the minimum athletic requirements of being a starter or important reserve. Academically, candidates must maintain at least a 3.50 GPA and they must have been at their current institution for at least a year (an exception is made for transfers).

Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in early December. for the soccer programs.

For more information about CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.
 
~GoRunners.com~
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Players Mentioned

Karen Flores

#9 Karen Flores

F
5' 6"
Junior
Hollee Hercik

#00 Hollee Hercik

GK
5' 8"
Senior
Hildur Jonasdottir

#14 Hildur Jonasdottir

M
5' 5"
Junior
Dome Rodriguez

#8 Dome Rodriguez

M
5' 2"
Senior
Penny Smith

#3 Penny Smith

D
5' 7"
Junior
Haruya Iwasaki

#5 Haruya Iwasaki

D
6' 1"
Junior
Connor Mautino

#12 Connor Mautino

F
5' 10"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Karen Flores

#9 Karen Flores

5' 6"
Junior
F
Hollee Hercik

#00 Hollee Hercik

5' 8"
Senior
GK
Hildur Jonasdottir

#14 Hildur Jonasdottir

5' 5"
Junior
M
Dome Rodriguez

#8 Dome Rodriguez

5' 2"
Senior
M
Penny Smith

#3 Penny Smith

5' 7"
Junior
D
Haruya Iwasaki

#5 Haruya Iwasaki

6' 1"
Junior
D
Connor Mautino

#12 Connor Mautino

5' 10"
Junior
F
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