Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
2021 All-CCIW Awards
Nov. 16, 2021 - One of the most dominant football performances in the history of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was rewarded by the conference's head coaches Tuesday, as the North Central College Cardinals claimed 17 spots on the 2021 All-CCIW Teams.
The No. 1-ranked Cardinals (10-0, 9-0 CCIW) set new conference single-season records for yards (5,285) and points (533) in conference play, averaging 59.2 points per game while allowing only 11.1. North Central lifted its 15th CCIW championship trophy and its 12th in the past 15 years.
The Cardinals also claimed the lion's share of the CCIW's main individual awards. Senior wide receiver Andrew Kamienski was named the conference's Art Keller Offensive Player of the Year, marking the fifth straight season and the 13th time overall that a North Central player has won the award.
Also a First Team All-CCIW selection for the fourth time, Kamienski has caught 59 passes for 1,015 yards and 10 touchdowns this season and achieved his first collegiate punt-return touchdown Nov. 6 at Washington University in St. Louis. He ranks sixth in NCAA Division III history in career receiving yards (4,769) and touchdown receptions (56) while ranking seventh in receptions (321) and established new CCIW career records this season for receptions (227) and receiving yards (3,303) in conference play.
Senior left guard Sharmore Clarke was recognized as the CCIW's Offensive Lineman of the Year. In three years since the award was instituted, Clarke is the only player to receive it. Clarke is also a First Team All-CCIW pick for the third time. Sophomore linebacker Nick Motyka was honored as the co-recipient of the CCIW's Elite 25 Award, a new distinction which recognizes the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average from the first- or second-place finishing team. Also new this year is the RESPECT Award, which recognizes one student-athlete from each team who exemplify great character and encourage inclusiveness and a positive culture. North Central's recipient is senior linebacker Storm Simmons.
For the second time and the first since 2016, North Central head coach Jeff Thorne has been voted the CCIW's Bob Reade Coach of the Year. The Cardinals have posted an overall record of 47-4 in conference play in Thorne's six seasons as head coach. It is the sixth time a North Central coach has received the distinction.
Joining Kamienski and Clarke on the Offensive First Team are running back Ethan Greenfield, wide receiver DeAngelo Hardy, quarterback Luke Lehnen and right tackle Jeske Maples. Greenfield, who ranks sixth nationally in total touchdowns (20) and 12th in rushing yards (1,141), makes his second straight All-CCIW First Team. Hardy has totaled 795 recieiving yards and nine touchdown catches in addition to a rushing touchdown is currently the Division III national leader in yards per reception (26.4). Also a national statistical leader is Lehnen, who ranks first in yards per pass attempt (12.0) while sitting third in yards per completion (18.1) and passing efficiency (200.5).
Making his third appearance on the Defensive First Team is cornerback Jake Beesley, the CCIW's leader in passes defended (15) this season, while linebacker Ben Wong, the Cardinals' leading tackler (50), makes the list for the second time. Joining the pair on the First Team are safety Dakota Cremeens, a Second Team All-CCIW pick in 2019, and defensive end Dan Gilroy.
The All-CCIW Offensive Second Team features right guard Sam Pryor, tight end Matt Robinson and center Jarod Thornton, while the Defensive Second Team includes safety Braden Lindmark, defensive tackle Cameron Martin, defensive end Tyler Rich and linebacker Sam Taviani.
The Cardinals open play in the 2021 NCAA Division III Football Championship Saturday, hosting Carnegie Mellon University (8-2). Kickoff at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium is set for 12:00 noon. Click HERE for live coverage options.
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