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SOU gridders honored By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings Southern Oregon University's 2002 football team didn't nab the national championship it so desperately sought, but Thursday the consolation prizes came rolling in as the school received a windfall of individual honors and awards. The school's 8-3 season record, No. 6 final NAIA ranking and second consecutive NAIA quarterfinal appearance helped result in a program-best six All- American selections and coach-of-the-year honors for Jeff Olson. Southern Oregon University running back Dusty McGrorty (25) was named NAIA All-American. File photo In addition, a school-record three other Raiders earned academic All-America kudos. "I think it's a tribute to everybody in the program," Olson said this morning, "the coaching staff, the kids, and it starts at the top with the administration. The hard work for the entire program is paying off." Heading the all-star list are senior free safety Nick Daniken and junior running back Dusty McGrorty, who each garnered first-team All-American status. Daniken became a two-time All-American after finishing second on the team for tackles (69) and capping his career as the Northwest small-college record for kickoff returns for touchdowns (5) and average yardage per touch (29.1). The Central Point native also finished as the school-record holder in every punt return category. Surprisingly, McGrorty is an NAIA All-American for just the first time despite three consecutive 1,000-yard, 15-plus touchdown seasons. In 2002, the Warrenton native set SOU records for career (724) and season (291) carries, led the country with a career-best 156-yard rushing average and finished sixth nationally in scoring (10.2). Juniors Garret Gelker, Todd Wesolowski and Steve Baker were second-team All-Americans. Gelker, a defensive end from Eugene, led the team with 20.5 tackles for losses and finished third for total stops (66), while Wesolowski, a left tackle from Las Vegas, is only the third All-American lineman in school history after helping the Raiders accumulate the NAIA's 17th-best offensive output (386.5). Baker, a junior transfer punter/kicker from Bakersfield, Calif., via Arizona State, converted 35 consecutive extra-point attempts and finished fourth nationally for kick scoring (40 PATs and 12 field goals, including a 50-yarder). As a punter, Baker ranked second in the NAIA and assembled the school's best season average since 1965 (42.8). Senior strong safety Brad Kudlac, a North Valley High graduate who became the first SOU defender ever to become NAIA player of the week (for his efforts in a 31-10 win at San Diego), was an honorable mention selection. Junior linebacker Gabe Raso, a political science major from Salt Lake City (3.95 GPA), senior tight end Matt Zosel, a history major from Coos Bay (3.76), and Gelker, a criminology major (3.44), received All-America scholar-athlete distinction based on academic performance as well as making significant contributions on the field. Seventh-year head coach Olson, who moved into third-place on the school's football coaching victory list (42), was named NAIA independent coach of the year for the second straight season. "It's not about me," said Olson, who will host 45 possible recruits today and Saturday at the university. "I just surround myself with some very, very good people." Four of SOU's six All-Americans are eligible to return for the 2003 season, when the Raiders will be seeking their third straight playoff berth. The Raiders lost 35-31 to Carroll College in the 2002 NAIA national quarterfinals. "It was a very bitter way to end the season," Olson said, "but it was a great honor to be in the quarterfinals again and the goal is, let's go back." LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -