Brinkman, Thompson Earn Academic All-District Honors

DURHAM, N.C.—Duke junior Cody Brinkman and graduate student Ryan Thompson have been recognized for their combination of excellence on the soccer field as well as in the classroom, garnering CoSIDA Academic All-District III First Team accolades. This is the first CoSIDA award for both Brinkman and Thompson.

They are two of 11 Division I players voted to the squad from District III consisting of schools from North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. North Carolina had three selections to lead the way, while Duke was the only other school to have multiple student-athletes chosen.

Brinkman, Duke's anchor to the center midfield, has started every game for the Blue Devils in a defensive midfield role for the past two seasons. He currently ranks sixth on the team in minutes played with 1,170 and recently recorded his first career point with an assist against Campbell. Brinkman, a Durham, N.C., native, has started 42 of the 49 games he's played.

In the classroom, Brinkman holds a 3.83 grade point average in electrical and computer engineering. He is a three-time ACC Academic Honor Roll member and has earned a spot on Duke's Dean's List in all four of his semesters.

Thompson has turned in a strong final campaign for the Blue Devils in starting eight games before suffering an injury. In those eight outings, Thompson netted a goal and two assists for four points, including the late game winner over Georgia Southern. He also had an assist in the 2-1 victory over the Eagles. Overcoming numerous injuries over the course of his career, Thompson has played in 44 games with 31 starts and has two goals and nine assists for 13 points.

The Cary, N.C., native is pursuing his Master of Management Studies at the Duke Fuqua School of Business after completing his undergraduate bachelor's degree in political science from Duke in 2016. He owns a 3.77 overall grade point average and will graduate in May with his master's degree.

The Blue Devils close out their regular season schedule Oct. 28 at No. 17 Virginia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., on ACC Network Extra.

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