Austin Cary ’17 was a Pioneer standout both on and off the football and track fields. 

And now, he’s proud to be taking his talents to the State of Ohio with a new job as a chemist for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s main chemical laboratory. 

“My favorite thing about Malone was the opportunity to grow in my faith with coaches and alumni through Bible studies,” Cary said.”I also really liked the high character kids that are in athletics and the entire school. Just a very friendly environment."

The defensive lineman became the first-ever Pioneer football student-athlete to be named to the Academic All-America Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America in December of 2016.

Cary, of Loudonville, Ohio, was selected to the CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team following a tremendous senior season in which he recorded 47 tackles and a team-high five sacks. He was named G-MAC All-Conference in 2016 and finished his career with 126 tackles and 11.0 total sacks.

Austin maintained a 3.79 cumulative GPA as a biology major/chemistry minor. He twice earned GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team honors during his career and was voted to the Academic All-District Team in 2015. He repeated as an Academic All-District recipient in 2016 before advancing to the national ballot and being voted an Academic All-American.

The CoSIDA Academic All-America program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes who excel both athletically and academically. Nominees for the prestigious award must be a starter or important reserve, possess at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.00 scale), and have achieved at least sophomore academic status.

Honorees are first selected from eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. First-Team Academic All-District honorees then advance to the Academic All-America Team ballot. First and Second Team All-Americans were announced this week and can be viewed by clicking here.

Cary was the 10th Pioneer to be named an Academic All-American in any sport since Malone joined the NCAA Division II ranks in 2012. He was just the third First Team honoree.