Six Men's Lacrosse Standouts Chosen for Academic All-District Teams

They were chosen by the College Sports Communicators

Six members of the NCAA Division III quarterfinalist Hope College men's lacrosse team have been chosen for the 2025-26 Academic All-District Men's At-Large Teams, selected by the College Sports Communicators organization: goalie Jack Balmforth, midfielders Jackson Early and Jack McNamara, and defenders John Foster, Lance Hart, and Brendan O'Donnell.

Eligible at-large nominees must be at least sophomores academically and athletically and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher. The men's at-large division featured 10 sports that did not reach the team participation threshold for their own category. Men's lacrosse nominees must have competed in 90 percent of the institution's games played or must start in at least 66 percent of the institution's games.

Hope's six Academic All-District recipients powered the Flying Dutchmen to the first NCAA Division III national quarterfinals in program history and the second sweep of MIAA regular-season and tournament titles this season. The Orange and Blue finished with a 20-1 overall record.

Balmforth is a two-time Academic All-District selection and three-time All-MIAA honoree. The senior business major from Livonia, Michigan (Detroit Catholic Central), recorded a career-best 8.41 goals-against average this season.

Early repeated as an Academic All-District recipient. The senior public accounting major from East Lansing, Michigan (East Lansing), posted a career-high 81 ground balls this season while also contributing 18 points on eight goals and a career-best 10 assists.

Foster claimed Academic All-District distinction for the first time. The senior exercise science major from Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Central), also received All-America Third Team honors from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association and was named MIAA Defensive MVP for the first time.

Hart is a first-time Academic All-District selection. The senior public accounting and business major from Littleton, Colorado (J.K. Mullen), posted career-highs with 35 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers this season.

McNamara received Academic All-District honors for the second time. The senior biology major from Ada, Michigan (Forest Hills Central), set career-highs this season with 13 goals, 32 ground balls, and six assists while garnering All-MIAA Second Team accolades.

O'Donnell claimed Academic All-District honors for the first time. The senior exercise science major from Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake), recorded career-highs this season with 29 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers.

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Players Mentioned

#29 Jack Balmforth: G; 5' 11"; Senior; Business

#31 Jackson Early: M; 6' 1"; Senior; Accounting - Public Acct

#22 John Foster: D; 6' 1"; Senior; Exercise Science

#41 Lance Hart: D; 6' 0"; Senior; Public Acct/Business Dbl Major

#5 Jack McNamara: M; 6' 5"; Senior; Biology

#30 Brendan O'Donnell: D; 6' 2"; Senior; Exercise Science

Players Mentioned

#29 Jack Balmforth
: 5' 11"; Senior; Business
: G

#31 Jackson Early
: 6' 1"; Senior; Accounting - Public Acct
: M

#22 John Foster
: 6' 1"; Senior; Exercise Science
: D

#41 Lance Hart
: 6' 0"; Senior; Public Acct/Business Dbl Major
: D

#5 Jack McNamara
: 6' 5"; Senior; Biology
: M

#30 Brendan O'Donnell
: 6' 2"; Senior; Exercise Science
: D