Burgstahler named a Google Cloud Academic All-American

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. — Former Sandpoint three-sport standout and Saint John’s University senior Matthew Burgstahler was named to the 2017-18 Google Cloud Academic All-America Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country second team on Tuesday.

Nominees must be of a sophomore academic standing or better, with a 3.30 GPA or higher. The Academic All-America teams are voted upon and selected by registered College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) members.

Burgstahler graduated egregia cum laude on May 13 with a 4.0 GPA and an integrative health science degree.

Burgstahler earned All-MIAC honors (top three individually, champion relay) with a third-place finish in the steeplechase as SJU claimed third place in the team competition May 11-12 at the MIAC Outdoor Championships. His time of 9:24.39 was also good for United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Central Region honors. To be selected for All-Region, a student-athlete must either be ranked in the top-five of an individual event in the region according to final TFRRS data or be part of a top-three relay team.

He achieved All-MIAC distinction (top 15) with an eighth-place finish out of 203 runners Oct. 28 at the MIAC Cross Country Championship and finished 30th to earn All-Region honors (top 35) Nov. 11 at the NCAA Central Regional.

Burgstahler received the MIAC Elite 22 Award for men’s cross country and men’s outdoor track and field in 2017-18, the award is presented to the individual with the highest GPA among the All-MIAC honorees.

He studied abroad during spring semester 2017 in South Africa displayed his undergraduate research at the Scholars at the Capitol event Feb. 21 in the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda. Burgstahler earned SJU’s Man of Extraordinary Service Award among the 2018 senior students.

Burgstahler also played soccer and basketball as a three-sport athlete at Sandpoint.