Twenty-Seven Earn D3football.com All-West Region Laurels; Kelly and Leipold Earn Top Honors
Official D3football.com Release
MADISON, Wis.--Twenty-seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been selected to the 2013 D3football.com All-West Region Team, while UW-Platteville’s John Kelly was named the region’s Offensive Player of the Year and UW-Whitewater’s Lance Leipold the region’s Coach of the Year.
Kelly’s selection marks the seventh time in the nine-year history of the award that an individual from the WIAC has received the honor. UW-Whitewater’s Justin Beaver received the trophy in 2006 and 2007, while the Warhawks’ Levell Coppage was recognized in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and UW-Oshkosh’s Nate Wara was the recipient a year ago.
Leipold is the third conference coach to claim the coaching award. UW-Whitewater’s Bob Berezowitz was the recipient in 2005 and 2006, while UW-Oshkosh’s Pat Cerroni was picked a season ago.
Joining Kelly on the first team offense were: UW-Eau Claire’s Paul Santi; UW-Oshkosh’s Cole Myhra; and UW-Whitewater’s Eric Kindler and Lucas Skibba.
First team defense selections included: UW-Oshkosh’s Austin Blashka and Nate Ray; UW-Platteville’s Rob Austin; and UW-Whitewater’s Cole Klotz and Marcus McLin.
Second team offense picks consisted of: UW-Eau Claire’s Joel Sweeney; UW-Oshkosh’s Joe Sommers; UW-Stout’s Devon Greiber; and UW-Whitewater’s Justin Howard and Jake Kumerow.
Individuals named to the second team defense were: UW-Platteville’s Andrew Robinson; UW-Stevens Point’s Cody Seibel; and UW-Whitewater’s Marshall Rutherford.
Third team offense choices included: UW-Oshkosh’s Rob Bikowski and Garrett Porter; UW-Platteville’s Ryley Bailey, Jayson Eddy and Zach Litchfield; and UW-Whitewater’s Matt Behrendt.
UW-Oshkosh’s Cody Huemmer, along with UW-Whitewater’s Louissant Minett and Kyle Wismer were named to the third team defense.
The teams, selected in balloting by West Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 202 nominations by Division III member schools. A total of 79 players were chosen.
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