Four Thunder football players earn preseason honors

Wheaton, Ill. – Four members of the Wheaton Thunder football team have been selected to preseason Division III football teams by different media organizations. Brandon Dykstra (PICTURED ABOVE), Mark Hiben Spencer Clark and Justin Swider were each named to the 25th annual USA College Football Preseason Division III All-America teams. Clark and Hiben were also named to the Beyond Sports Network's Division III Preseason All-America Team.

Defensive tackle Brandon Dykstra was named to the First Team defensive line of the USA College Football preseason team. Dykstra, a two-time All-CCIW selection, made 36 tackles last season, with 8-1/2 tackles for lost yardage (-30 yards) and four quarterback sacks.

Wide receiver Mark Hiben (PICTURED LEFT) earned First Team recognition from USA Football and he was a Second Team selection by Beyond Sports Network. Hiben had a team-high 961 receiving yards, on 64 receptions, with 11 touchdowns in 2012. He averaged 15 yards per catch and 120.1 receiving yards per game.

Justin Swider (PICTURED BELOW AT LEFT) was tabbed as a First Team selection on special teams by USA Football. Swider returned 20 kickoffs last fall for 537 yards, averaging 26.9 yards per return, ranking among the NCAA Division III leaders in yards per return.

Center Spencer Clark (PICTURED RIGHT) earned a First Team All-America nod from Beyond Sports Network and a Third Team recognition from USA Football. Clark, a First Team All-CCIW honoree in 2012 keyed a Thunder offensive line last season that helped Wheaton average 478.2 yards of offense per game and was among the Division III leaders in total offense, passing offense and scoring offense.

LINK TO THE USA COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS

LINK TO THE BEYOND SPORTS NETWORK DIVISION III PRESEASON AA TEAM

Originally published by Wheaton College Athletics: /news/2013/7/15/FB_0715134658.aspx