UW-Whitewater's Henschler Named Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist

UW-Whitewater's Henschler Named Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist

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**Release courtesy of UW-Whitewater Sports Information

Official J-Club Release

WHITEWATER, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football senior Harry Henschler (Janesville, Wis./Craig) has been named one of 13 semifinalists for the 2018 Gagliardi Trophy, an award presented by Jostens and the J-Club of St. John's University to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III.
 
A total of 39 ballots will be cast for the Gagliardi Trophy, with an additional 40th to be determined by a fan vote. Fans can vote here on one ballot per device between now and Monday, Dec. 3, at noon Central Time.
 
Henschler, a defensive lineman and captain, is a two-year starter and three-year contributor for the Warhawks. He has been a part of two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles and three NCAA Playoff appearances, including a national semifinal appearance in 2015 and a national quarterfinal berth in 2016.
 
Henschler enters UW-Whitewater's second round contest this Saturday with 38 tackles, including a team-high 14.0 for a loss and 7.5 sacks, in 11 games played. He ranks among the top three in the league in TFLs and sacks, and is tied for fourth with two fumbles forced.
 
Henschler was named WIAC Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference last week. He was a two-time WIAC Defensive Player of the Week during the regular season and a member of the D3football.com National Team of the Week for games of Sept. 7-8.
 
In 2017, Henschler garnered first team All-WIAC, first team D3football.com All-West Region and third team D3football.com All-America accolades after recording 14 sacks, the third-most in one season in program history.
 
For his career, Henschler has 82 tackles, including 32.5 for a loss. His 22.5 career sacks are the seventh-most in program history.
 
Off the field, Henschler has been highly successful and engaged in the community. He carries a 3.29 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale and is majoring in occupational safety. Henschler is a three-year member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-Whitewater's Dean's List multiple times.
 
Henschler has been an active participant in the team's volunteer initiatives with Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater, Special Olympics in southern Wisconsin and an annual food drive to benefit Whitewater Food Pantry. He also serves as a volunteer coach for youth football camps at Janesville High School, his alma mater.

Additional semifinalists for the award include: Shenandoah University (Va.) senior quarterback Hayden Bauserman; Trine University (Ind.) senior running back Lamar Carswell; Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) senior wide receiver/punter Reese Childress; Saint John's University (Minn.) junior quarterback Jackson Erdmann; Denison University (Ohio) senior quarterback Canaan Gebele; The College of Brockport (N.Y.) junior quarterback Joe Germinerio; Springfield College (Mass.) senior defensive end Nick Giorgio; Eureka College (Ill.) senior running back LeAnthony Reasnover; University of Mount Union (Ohio) senior linebacker Danny Robinson; North Central College (Ill.) junior quarterback Broc Rutter; Wartburg College (Iowa) senior quarterback Matt Sacia; and Wheaton College (Ill.) senior linebacker Eric Stevenson.

A year ago, UW-Oshkosh's Brett Kasper won the Gagliardi Trophy.

The Gagliardi Trophy recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, St. John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history. Gagliardi passed away in early October at the age of 91.
 
Four Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be released Dec. 6. The winner of the 2018 Gagliardi Trophy will be announced Dec. 14 prior to the Stagg Bowl.
 
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