Greenwood, Ind. - Central Methodist senior outfielder Ryan Malzahn was recognized as a CSC First Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators earlier this week. 

He is the first Academic All-America recipient for the program since Brennan Hurley was recognized in 2016, also as a first team selection.

Malzahn earned his master's degree in business administration from CMU with a 3.93 grade point average this past spring. 

In his final collegiate season, the native of Foristell, Missouri, earned a multitude of accolades for the Eagles, highlighted by All-America Third Team honors from both the NAIA and the ABCA.  

He was a force at the dish in 2026, leading both the Eagles and the conference in home runs (16) while posting a .386 batting average, which ranked fifth in the Heart.

Malzahn played in 47 games for Central, tallying 56 hits, including nine doubles and two triples. He drove in 51 RBI, scored 47 runs, and compiled a .807 slugging percentage.

Malzahn was twice named Heart Baseball Player of the Week and recorded four multi-home run games, including a three-home run performance against Missouri Valley on March 28.

In the outfield, he posted a perfect fielding percentage, recording 77 putouts in 82 total chances with five assists.

Malzahn was named the Heart Player of the Year, a First Team All-Conference selection, and a Heart Gold Glove recipient for his play in left field.

Academically, he finishes his career as a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and a First Team Academic All-American. 

The Academic All-America program celebrates college student-athletes who perform at an elite level in their chosen sport and in the classroom. The all-time list of 42,000+ Academic All-Americans includes major sports stars and some of the world's most accomplished individuals in medicine, business, science, and the arts.

Established in 1952 and selected by College Sports Communicators, Academic All-America is the longest-running and premier award for athletic and academic success across championship college sports at all NCAA levels, the NAIA, two-year colleges, and Canadian institutions. Teams are announced year-round and amplified by CSC member colleges, universities, and conferences on a wide local, regional, national, and even international scope. 

To view additional information about the Academic All-America program, please see below. 

• Outstanding student-athletes are nominated for Academic All-District® recognition by communications directors and must have a minimum 3.50 GPA and meet high athletic standards. (approximately 30,000 nominations annually)
• A select group of student-athletes advances to the national ballot, where CSC members vote on Academic All-America teams. (approximately 2,000 selections annually)
• An Academic All-American of the Year is selected in each sport and division. (66 recipients)
• An Overall Academic All-America Team Member of the Year is selected as the top student-athlete across all sports in each NCAA and NAIA division. (4 recipients)

To view the CSC release on the 2025-26 Baseball Academic All-America teams, please click here. 

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