BRISTOL, R.I. — Six Roger Williams University student-athletes were named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Men's At-Large Team, recognizing their accomplishments in the classroom and in competition.
Representing the Hawks on this year's team were Will Lafrance (Men's Golf), Gabe Reis (Men's Ice Hockey), Carter Shelton (Men's Lacrosse), Kyle Zirn (Men's Lacrosse), Shaun McLaughlin (Wrestling) and Joshua Nieroda (Wrestling).
Lafrance anchored the Roger Williams men's golf lineup throughout the 2025-26 season, posting a 76.0 scoring average over 15 rounds while finishing ranked 45th in the region. He recorded four top-10 finishes, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the RWU Hawk Invitational. Lafrance also placed fifth at the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship and earned top-10 finishes at the Trinity Bantams/Hartford Hawks Spring Invitational, Rhode Island College Men's Spring Invitational, and Eastern Connecticut State Spring Invitational.
Reis appeared in all 25 games for the Hawks' men's ice hockey team during the 2025-26 campaign. The defenseman recorded five points on one goal and four assists while contributing on both ends of the ice and helping anchor the Roger Williams blue line throughout the season as the program's first captain.
In men's lacrosse, Shelton was one of the Hawks' top offensive threats, finishing second on the team with 21 goals and 33 points while adding 12 assists and 29 ground balls. Zirn started all 19 games and established himself as one of the premier defensive midfielders in the region, leading Roger Williams with 55 caused turnovers while collecting 90 ground balls. Zirn was also a USILA All-American Honorable Mention and the CNE Defensive Player of the Year.
McLaughlin compiled a 16-16 record at 141 pounds during the 2025-26 season. Excluding a forfeit victory, he earned 15 wins on the mat, including seven falls, two technical falls, one major decision, and five decisions, as a team captain.
At 184 pounds, Nieroda posted a 22-13 overall record and placed sixth at the NCAA Division III Region I Championships. Excluding two forfeit victories, he earned 20 wins on the mat, including 12 falls, three major decisions, one technical fall, and four decisions. Nieroda advanced to the consolation semifinals at the regional championship and finished the season with 60 percent of his victories coming by pin.
The CSC Academic All-District® program recognizes student-athletes for their combined performances in the classroom and in competition. Nominees must meet minimum academic and athletic participation requirements established by College Sports Communicators.
