PHILADELPHIA— The Philadelphia Area Sports Information Directors Association today announced its 2025 Academic All-Area Team for Men's Cross Country. Eastern University senior Ryle Mellinger was one nine outstanding area student-athletes recognized for excellence on the course and in the classroom.

With a 25:17.5 run over the 8,000 meter course at the Metro Region Championships, Mellinger broke the Eastern University program record and earned All-Metro Region Honors. In that final race he shaved over 45 seconds off his previous personal best, set with an eighth place finish at the MAC Championships.

Mellinger also excels in the classroom as an English major.

Mellinger joined student-athletes from Haverford, Rowan, Swarthmore, Rutgers-Camden, Gwynedd Mercy, and the WIlliamson College of Trades.

He is the first Eastern Men's Cross Country Runner to earn a spot on the list since Nick Trombley earned the honor in 2014

The team, voted on by the sports information offices of 30 institutions from the Philadelphia metropolitan area, was selected from nominated student-athletes from those same institutions. Nominees must be in at least their second year at their current institution and carry at least a 3.30 GPA. The 9 individuals honored this year had an average GPA of 3.91. All eleven earned all-conference honors with many earning regional and national honors as well.

Jacob Dinerman, a junior from Rutgers Camden, was named the Academic All-Area Performer of the Year.