ARCATA, Calif. – Cal Poly Humboldt sophomore pole vaulter Michael Payan has been named to the 2025-26 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® Team, recognizing his excellence both in the classroom and in competition.

The CSC Academic All-District® program honors student-athletes who have achieved success academically while competing at a high level in their sport. Payan's selection adds another accolade to an outstanding sophomore campaign that saw him continue to establish himself among the nation's elite pole vaulters.

Payan capped the outdoor season by placing 10th in the men's pole vault at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships with a clearance of 5.16 meters (16-11). Payan entered the national meet as the 2026 CCAA Champion and a USTFCCCA All-West Region selection.

Earlier in the season, Payan successfully defended his conference title by winning the CCAA men's pole vault championship with a clearance of 5.20 meters (17-0¾), earning CCAA Men's Field Athlete of the Meet honors while helping lead the Lumberjacks to the best team finish in program history during the CCAA era. He also set a new Cal Poly Humboldt outdoor school record of 5.35 meters (17-6½) during the Wildcat Invitational.

An Applied Fire Science major, Payan's Academic All-District selection highlights his commitment to excellence both on the runway and in the classroom, embodying the standards of Cal Poly Humboldt student-athletes.

With his Academic All-District honor, Payan advances to the CSC Academic All-America ballot, where First, Second, and Third-Team Academic All-America honorees will be announced on July 14.