The University of Richmond men’s tennis team placed four student-athletes on the 2026 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, according to a May 12 announcement. Cole Brashear, Charlie Burdell, Sam Rathmanner, and Otto Sewell were recognized for their achievements both in competition and in academics.
The CSC Academic All-District program recognizes student-athletes who excel in both athletics and academics. To be eligible for selection, nominees must have at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average and meet competition requirements. Honorees from the Academic All-District list will move forward to the ballot for CSC Academic All-America consideration, with those teams scheduled to be announced on June 3.
Brashear contributed significantly during Richmond’s Atlantic 10 Championship run by posting a 12-4 singles record while mainly playing at the No. 6 position. He secured important wins against Fordham, George Mason, and Dayton during postseason play and clinched the decisive point in Richmond’s semifinal victory over top-seeded VCU. In doubles play with Davis Wiley at No.1 spot, Brashear recorded a 17-5 mark.
Burdell achieved a 13-8 singles record throughout the dual season while competing mostly at No.2 singles and added a 7-2 doubles record alongside Grant Cohen. His efforts helped Richmond win its first Atlantic 10 title since 2006 as well as earn its first NCAA Tournament appearance since that year.
Rathmanner posted six singles victories this spring and teamed up with Paxton Pritchard for nine doubles wins during the campaign. He earned key singles victories against William & Mary, Hampton, and Coppin State as part of Richmond’s seven-match winning streak late in the season.
Sewell finished his season with an overall singles record of 11-10 while primarily playing at No.5 position; he won six of his last nine completed matches including key victories during championship play over George Mason and Dayton which helped secure Richmond’s conference crown.
Richmond concluded its season with an overall record of 17-9 after capturing the Atlantic 10 Championship as the No.5 seed by defeating George Mason, VCU, and Dayton.
