The College of Southern Idaho area has plenty to celebrate in collegiate baseball — this time off the field. The College of Idaho announced that four members of its baseball program earned spots on the 2026 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, with three of the honorees hailing from Magic Valley high schools.
Brothers Jackson Cummins and Jakob Cummins, both former Kimberly High School baseball players, were recognized on the list. Jackson, a senior, and Jakob, a sophomore, represent a strong tradition of student-athlete achievement coming out of the Kimberly program. Joining them is Bryce Mahlke, a redshirt junior who played his prep baseball at Twin Falls High School.
What the Honor Requires
The Academic All-District designation is not handed out lightly. College Sports Communicators sets strict eligibility standards combining athletic participation with academic performance. Position players must appear in at least 90 percent of their team’s games or start a minimum of 66 percent of contests to qualify. Pitchers face separate benchmarks, needing either 17 or more appearances or at least 35 innings pitched during the season.
The recognition reflects the dual commitment these athletes have made — excelling in competition while maintaining the academic standards required for the honor.
What Comes Next
For Jackson Cummins, a senior, this recognition caps his collegiate career on a high note. His younger brother Jakob, still a sophomore, figures to remain a fixture in the College of Idaho program in the seasons ahead. Mahlke, as a redshirt junior, also has remaining eligibility. All three Magic Valley alumni will likely carry this recognition as they continue their athletic and academic pursuits. The College of Idaho’s baseball program, meanwhile, can point to this Academic All-District haul as a point of pride heading into the offseason.