Dec 8, 2014

Eight Wheaton student-athletes named to the 2014 D3football.com All-North Region Team; Mike Swider named Coach of the Year

Wheaton, Ill. – D3football.com announced its 2014 All-North Region Team on Monday morning and the Wheaton College football program was well-represented on the squad. Eight members of the Thunder earned All-Region recognition and head coach Mike Swider was honored as the 2014 North Region Coach of the Year. Wheaton's eight selections ranked third-most among all the North Region teams, behind only John Carroll (13) and Mount Union (9).

Swider (PICTURED LEFT) earned the award for leading Wheaton to an 11-1 record this season. The 11 victories this season is the second-most in a single campaign in school history. His 2014 Thunder squad posted a 10-0 record during the regular season, marking the fifth time in school history that a Wheaton team compiled an undefeated and untied record in the regular season. Swider's 2003 squad was the last Wheaton team to accomplish the feat. Swider guided the Thunder to a 7-0 record in CCIW play this fall to give the program sole possession of the CCIW Championship. It marked the 17th CCIW Football Championship in the program's history and the seventh in Swider's 19 years at the helm of the program. Earlier this fall he was named the 2014 winner of the CCIW's "Bob Reade Coach of the Year" award for the fifth time in his career, also winning the honor in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006.

Three members of the Thunder offensive line were named to the All-Region Team as center Spencer Clark (PICTURED RIGHT) picked up a First Team nod for the second consecutive year. Tackle Matt Snebold and guard Dan Barnhart each picked up Second Team recognition. The trio was an integral part of a Wheaton offensive line that allowed only 10 sacks this season on 887 plays. They anchored a Wheaton line that blocked for a balanced Wheaton offense that averaged 179.6 yards per game and 239.1 passing yards per contest.

Linebacker Adam Dansdill (LEFT) was part of a contingent of five defensive players for the Thunder that earned All-Region recognition. The 2014 CCIW Defensive Player of the Year picked up a First Team All-Region honor. Dansdill led the Thunder with 133 total tackles this season, including 65 solo stops. The junior ranks 27th in Division III in tackles per game with an average of 11.1 per contest. He recorded a team-best 11 passes broken up and also tallied seven tackles for lost yardage (-15 yards). Dansdill led the CCIW in total tackles this season with 71 stops in conference play.

Juniors Josh Aldrin and Logan McRae each picked up Second Team honors on the defensive line. Aldrin tallied 62 total tackles this fall with 32 solo stops. He made eight tackles for lost yardage (-39 yards), including five quarterback sacks (-37 yards). McRae recorded 62 total tackles this fall with 42 solo stops. He made a team-best 14 tackles for lost yardage (-63 yards) this season, including a team-high eight QB sacks for -43 yards.

Senior cornerback Michael Risher and junior linebacker Mikey Swider each earned Third Team All-Region honors. Risher led the Thunder with five interceptions this season. He also recorded 40 total tackles, including 32 solo hits and added eight pass break-ups. Swider was second on the Thunder with 101 total tackles this season, including 48 solo tackles. He made 9-1/2 tackles for loss (-30 yards) with 2-1/2 QB sacks.Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#92

Josh Aldrin

5' 8"

Sophomore

#64

Dan Barnhart

6' 0"

Senior

#55

Spencer Clark

6' 0"

Senior

#44

Adam Dansdill

6' 0"

Junior

#56

Logan McRae

6' 2"

Junior

#25

Michael Risher

6' 0"

Senior

#71

Matt Snebold

6' 4"

Junior

Mikey Swider

6' 2"

Junior

Players Mentioned

#92

Josh Aldrin

5' 8"

Sophomore

#64

Dan Barnhart

6' 0"

Senior

#55

Spencer Clark

6' 0"

Senior

#44

Adam Dansdill

6' 0"

Junior

#56

Logan McRae

6' 2"

Junior

#25

Michael Risher

6' 0"

Senior

#71

Matt Snebold

6' 4"

Junior

Mikey Swider

6' 2"

Junior