Seven Nebraska Wesleyan University football players have been honored as Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District 6 selections. The teams were announced Thursday (Nov. 10). and NWU had seven players named All-District in the college division.
The NWU Academic All-District selections include: tight end Matt Edwards, offensive lineman Garek Bebee, kicker Steven Anderson, defensive back Cody Eiler, linebacker Brett Kaczor, defensive lineman Russell Walton and punter Kelby Vandenberg. All seven players now advance to the national ballot for Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition that will be announced Dec. 5.
Edwards (Gretna, Neb.) has a 3.50 GPA as a biology major. He leads the team with 26 receptions on the year. Bebee (Wakefield, Neb.) has a 3.69 GPA as a physics major. He has started all 40 games of his career at offensive tackle and was a Second-Team Academic All-District pick in 2009. Anderson (Omaha, Neb.) has a 3.33 GPA as a Exercise Science major. He is 9-12 on field goals and leads the team with 54 points on the year.
On defense, Eiler (O’Neill, Neb.) has a 3.52 GPA as a business administration major. He has 46 total tackles and is among the nation’s leaders in kick and punt returns with three touchdowns. Kaczor (Ewing, Neb.) has a 3.47 GPA as a business administration major. He leads the team and ranks second in the GPAC with 80 total tackles on the year. Walton (Franklin, Neb.) was also First-Team All-District last season. He is second on the team with 63 total tackles and 4.5 quarterback sacks. Vandenberg (David City, Neb.) has a 3.79 GPA as a business administration major. He is one of the top punters in the GPAC averaging 37.9 yards per punt with 25 inside the 20-yard line.
Student-athletes must meet four criteria to earn Capital One Academic All-District honors: 1) must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better, 2) must have at least two terms of attendance at the institution, 3) must be at least a sophomore in athletic eligibility, 4) must be a starter or key reserve in their respective sport.
The All-District selection is determined by voting of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). District 6 is comprised of NAIA, Canada and 2-year institutions in Kansas, Nebraska, Montana and South Dakota.
