DES MOINES, IOWA - The Drake men's soccer team continues to break the mold as a national-best three Bulldogs were named to CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America teams led by senior Brian Wurst (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill South), who became the initial first team Academic All-America honoree in school history.

Joining him on the second and third teams, respectively, were junior Matt Kuhn (Raytown, Mo./Raytown South) and senior Calvin Clark (Overland Park, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas).

The Bulldog's three selections marked the most of any school in the country in the university division (Division I), besting Akron and South Carolina, who garnered two selections each.

The trio represent the first Bulldogs to be honored since Adam Zenor captured third team honors in 2004 and Matt Sahag second team accolades in 2002.

"We were excited when we found out we got four players on the district team, but to get three as academic All-Americans is a tremendous honor," Drake head coach Sean Holmes commented.  "Our goal when we started all those years ago was to be good, to do it with Iowa players, and deal with great students and we've been able to achieve all three of those goals. It is a tremendous accolade for those guys that they won't soon forget.  Their winning and doing it the right way has been vital to us."

A management major, Wurst maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA.  He has started all 21 games at his defender position for the Bulldogs, who have recorded seven shutouts this season.

An accounting major, Kuhn owns a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average.  He has started all 21 games for Drake and leads the team in assists (7) and game-winning goals (2).

Majoring in corporate finance, Clark boasts a 3.73 GPA.  Starting all 21 games for Drake, Clark has recorded two goals and added an assist from his starting defender's slot.  He is an anchor of a Bulldog defensive unit that has posted seven shutouts.

All three players were placed on the national ballot after earning first team All-District VII accolades earlier this season.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution.  Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed on the nomination form (where applicable).

The No. 24 Bulldogs return to action on Thursday (Nov. 19) as Drake entertains Western Illinois in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.  Game time at the Cownie Soccer Complex is slated for 7:00 p.m.