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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 24, 2003 Raiders rake in honors McGrorty, Daniken chosen All-Americans, while Olson is named NAIA independent coach of the year ASHLAND — Southern Oregon University’s 2002 football season ended on a frozen field in Helena, Mont., back on Nov. 30, but a windfall of individual honors and awards poured in well into the new calendar year. The school’s 8-3 final 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. In addition, a school-record three other Raiders earned academic All-America kudos. "I’m very happy for the kids," Olson says. "The kids have earned this." 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," Olson says. "I just surround myself with some very, very good people. All the hard work’s paying off." The same can be said for SOU’s recruiting, which kicks into high gear today with 45 potential Raiders visiting. Olson is also quick to point out that four of SOU’s six All-Americans return as the Raiders seek a third straight record-breaking season. "Having the success we’ve had the last couple years certainly helps (our national reputation)," Olson says. "But we’re tired of this getting close stuff (in the playoffs). ... We’re ready to go back (to Carroll College, which has knocked SOU out of the playoffs two straight years) and do it again." Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S