RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota School of Mines sophomore Cole Peterson was named a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District® honoree announced on Thursday.

Peterson is a starting linebacker for the Hardrockers from Boulder, Colorado, with a 4.0 GPA.

The 2019 Academic All-District® Football Teams, selected by CoSIDA, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-America® program separately recognizes football and volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

"Cole is a leader in our program as a top tackler in the RMAC and as a standout in the classroom," said Hardrocker football head coach Zach Tinker. "Cole has excelled on and off the field for the Hardrockers since his first day on campus and will continue to be a leader during his next two seasons with us."

With one game left in the season, Peterson leads the Hardrockers in total tackles (109) and is second in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. He also ranks 10^th in the nation averaging 10.9 tackles per game.

First Team Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® ballot. First- and second-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced December 9-12. He has 10.0 tackles for a loss (37 yards) and is credited with 2.5 sacks (23 yards), one forced fumble, one interception and one broken up pass this season.

"We are proud to call Cole a Hardrocker and we are humbled that CoSIDA has recognized him as one of the nation's elite scholar-athletes," Tinker added.

The CoSIDA Academic All-District® teams include the student-athletes listed in links provided above and are divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada.
 
The Division II and III CoSIDA Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2019-20 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs. The NAIA CoSIDA Academic All-America® program is partially financially supported through the NAIA national office.