The Kalamazoo College football team had eight players selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, as announced on Tuesday (Dec. 19). The student-athletes selected were Madison Barch, Sam Hughes, Blake Kelsey, Gabe Meyers, Sheldon Riley, Jonah Spates, Adam Stapleton, and Jacob Zeller.
To be selected for the award, the student-athlete must be a starter or an important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA, have played at least 90% or start in 66% of their team's competitions, and be at least a sophomore academically and athletically.
Barch handled most of the extra-point duties for the Hornets in her senior season. She was 25 for 29 (86.2%) on those opportunities and also became what is believed to be the first female in NCAA history to score non-kicking points on a two-point conversion against Trine on Nov. 11. Barch is majoring in biochemistry and holds a 3.74 cumulative GPA.
Hughes showed versatility for Kalamazoo in his senior season with rushing, receiving, and special team duties. He had the team's lone punt block on the season and finished in a tie for third with two receiving touchdowns. Overall, Hughes had six catches for 31 yards and two offensive touchdowns, plus five returns for 79 yards on special teams. He currently has a 3.61 cumulative GPA while majoring in business.
Kelsey was a starter on the defensive line in his senior season. He finished the year tied for second on the team in forced fumbles and pass breakups while also tying for third in sacks and fumble recoveries. Kelsey had 36 total tackles (14 solo) on the season with four tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two pass breakups. He is majoring in biochemistry and holds a cumulative GPA of 3.55.
Meyers was a linebacker/defensive back hybrid in his junior season for the Hornets. He led the team in interceptions, was tied for second in pass breakups, and third in solo tackles. Meyers collected 52 total tackles (36 solo) with one tackle for loss, three interceptions, and two pass breakups. He has a 3.58 cumulative GPA while majoring in business.
Riley became the change of pace back for Kalamazoo by showing his rushing and receiving capabilities in his junior season. He finished second on the team in rushing yards and was tied for third in receiving and rushing touchdowns. On the ground, Riley had 263 yards on 49 carries with a touchdown while catching eight passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns. He is majoring in business and currently holds a 3.91 cumulative GPA.
Spates exploded onto the scene last season and continued to be a dynamic receiving weapon for the Hornets in his junior season. He tied for the team lead in receptions and receiving touchdowns while being second in receiving yards offensively. He was the primary punt returner on special teams and had some kick returns. On the season, Spates finished with 52 catches for 724 yards and six touchdowns, 12 punt returns for 200 yards and a touchdown, eight kick returns for 166 yards, and 1,090 all-purpose yards with 42 points scored. He currently has a 3.69 cumulative GPA while majoring in business.
Stapleton stepped up to be the leader for his linebacker position as a junior for Kalamazoo. He led the defense in solo tackles, assisted tackles, and total tackles while being tied for the team lead in tackles for loss, tied for second in forced fumbles, and tied for third in sacks. Stapleton was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week and was on the D3football.com Team of the Week on Oct. 16 & 17 and had 81 total tackles (38 solo), six tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble on the season. He is majoring in business and has a cumulative GPA of 3.58.
Zeller started all 10 games for the Hornets at center during his senior season. He led the offensive line that helped produce 1,097 rushing yards on 319 attempts and 2,804 passing yards on 240 completions as the offense scored 35 touchdowns this season. Zeller currently holds a 3.60 cumulative GPA while majoring in biology.
Now that the eight student-athletes have made the district team, they will move on to the CSC Academic All-American ballot, which will be announced in early January.