MARSHALL, Minn. - A total of four members of the Southwest Minnesota State University football team earned spots on the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team announced on Tuesday.
 
Named to the All-District team include sophomore Mason Carver, junior Josiah Hedensten, senior Joe Buelow and senior Jason Samec.
 
The 2024 Academic All-District® football teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes football honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
 
Carver, a punter from Cherokee, Iowa, appeared in all 11 games this season for the Mustangs, averaging 38.1 yards per punt. He had 11 punts of 50 or more yards and closed with 13 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Carver is pursuing a degree in marketing, management and finance. 
  
Hedensten, a linebacker from Faribault, Minn., earns CSC Academic All-District for the second straight year. Named All-NSIC second team this past season, he started all 11 games and led the team with 83 tackles with a team-high 10 for loss. He tied for fifth in the NSIC in tackles with 76 in 10 conference games. Hedensten is a justice administration major. 
 
Buelow, a defensive lineman from Maple Grove, Minn., started all 11 games and finished with 18 tackles. Buelow graduated from SMSU last spring and is pursuing his master's degree.
 
Samec, a defensive lineman from Stillwater, Minn., played in all 11 games and closed the season with 18 tackles. Samec graduated from SMSU last spring and is pursuing his master's degree.
 
Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First- and second-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced on Jan. 28.
 
The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2024-25 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs.