SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth College golfer Sean Thompson has been named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Men's At-large Academic All-District VIII College Division team, based on voting by district sports information directors.

Thompson, a sophomore from Greenaces, Wash. (Central Valley), has a 3.76 grade point average in business management and is one of two Pirates named to the ten-member team. His is joined by swimmer David Lillard (see related release).

Thomson was a key contributor to the Pirates' second consecutive NWC championship in men's golf. He played his best in the three tournaments that determined the championship. In the 2005 Fall Classic at Tokatee GC in Blue River, Oregon, he finished 5th individually with a score of 148. At the 2006 NWC Spring Classic at Wildhorse Resort in Pendleton, Oregon, he was fourth with another score of 148. At the NWC Tournament at Aspen Lakes GC in Sisters, Oregon, he finished 12th with a score of 158.

The ESPN The Magazine Men's and Women's Academic All-District VIII At-Large College Division teams included ten individuals selected from sports without their own specific Academic All-District teams, including swimming, tennis, water polo, gymnastics, golf, wrestling and skiing. The individuals are nominated by their institutions' sports information directors and the 10 selections are made by a subsequent vote of district SIDs. District VIII in the college divisions comprises all non-NCAA Division I institutions west of the Rocky Mountains.

This year marks the 55th year of the Academic All-America program. Over 15,000 students have been named Academic All-America team members at colleges and universities at all levels for every recognized NCAA sport.