Nine Carson-Newman athletes slot in on the CSC Academic All-District Team
AUSTIN, Texas – Nine athletes on the Carson-Newman Track & Field team earned their spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.
AUSTIN, Texas – Nine athletes on the Carson-Newman Track & Field team earned their spot on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.
On the men's side, Ethan Blaylock, Carlos Kouassi, Ben Swank and Merlin Silveri made the cut. While it was Lidija Djokic, Kellie Ivens, Lovelyne Larrame, Axelle Ombelets and Brooke Taylor making their way on for the women's side. Additionally, distance runner Jenna Pittman was named All-District in cross country.
This is the third time in the last four years that Carson-Newman has had nine members of the track & field team make All-District.
The 2025-2026 Academic All-District® Track & Field/Cross Country 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 CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Ethan Blaylock was a senior sprinter from Knoxville, Tennessee. He was named All-Region by USTFCCCA for his efforts on the 4x400m relay team at the SAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, where the team set a school record.
Carlos Kouassi from Basel, Switzerland, graduated this spring after his time as a jumper. He was an Academic All-District honoree last year and was named All-Region after the indoor season. Kouassi won a silver medal at the 2026 SAC Indoor Championships in the triple jump.
Ben Swank wrapped up his first season with the Eagles in the javelin. A native of North Bend, Oregon native, Swank set a school record with a throw of 54.69 meters at the King University Invitational.
Merlin Silveri was another sprinter for Carson-Newman. He qualified for the SAC Championships in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Lidija Djokic from Belgrade, Serbia, reset the program's record books in the 400-meter hurdles this past spring, before breaking her own record again the next week with a time of 1:01.87 seconds. She was named an All-Region athlete after the indoor season, following her silver medal on the 4x400m relay team at the SAC Indoor Championships.
Kellie Ivens closed the book on her Carson-Newman career, competing as a jumper. The White Pine, Tennessee native set her personal best in the high jump this year at the Georgia Tech Invitational at 1.62 meters. She also finished fourth at the SAC Outdoor Championships.
Lovelyne Larrame turned in an outstanding season with the Eagles, closing it out at the 2026 Division II Outdoor National Championships in the 400m after winning gold for the 400m at the SAC Outdoor Championships. Larrame was All-Region for both the indoor and outdoor seasons. She also staked her claim this spring with multiple school records in the 200m, 23.89 seconds, and 400m, 53.80 seconds. She also set the indoor records for the same events this winter.
Axelle Ombelets was part of the relay team with Djokic and Larrame that set the school record in the 4x400m and won silver at the SAC Indoor Championships.
Brooke Taylor graduated this spring following a strong career on the banks of Mossy Creek. The Knoxville native won a bronze medal in the triple jump at the SAC Outdoor Championships this season with a distance of 11.71 meters.
The Academic All-Americans will be released at a later date, with the men's announcement coming on July 14th and the women's on July 15th.
