CoSIDA ReleaseAUSTIN, Texas—South Dakota senior midfielder
Elena Tsakakis has been named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America second team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Tsakakis is the second Coyote in program history to be named an Academic All-American and first since 2006. South Dakota's Katie Freeman earned the honor in 2006. It is South Dakota's 54th honor across all sports.
With three teams of 11 athletes, Tsakakis is one of nine midfielders to earn Academic All-America honors. Tsakakis played an integral role in the Coyotes' midfield, working as both a defender and advancing the ball to the strikers. She totaled 4,101 minutes on the pitch for her career, which ranks 15th in program history. Tsakakis tallied seven goals and five assists over four seasons. She also helped the Coyotes advance to the Summit League Tournament for the first time in 2015.
Tsakakis is one of two Summit League players to earn the distinction. Senior defender Kaily Cox of Oral Roberts was also named to the second team.
A native of Edina, Minn., Tsakakis maintains a perfect 4.00 grade-point average as a biology major. She also has a double minor in sustainability and French.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at her current institution, and be nominated by her SID.
