The Kalamazoo College football team had eight players selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, as announced on Tuesday (Nov. 22). The student-athletes selected were Jon Brunette, Payton Fleming, Ryan Hanifan, Blake Kelsey, Noah Piercy, Sheldon Riley, Jonah Spates, 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, play at least 50% of their team's competitions, and be at least a sophomore academically and athletically.
Brunette finished the 2022 season as the team's leading rusher with 85 rush attempts for 304 yards while scoring three touchdowns in nine games. He also added 14 catches out of the backfield for 99 yards and added another score. Currently majoring in business, the junior has a 3.50 cumulative GPA.
Fleming was second on the team in total tackles this season, collecting 62 in 10 games from his linebacker position. He was also second in tackles for loss at 7.5 for a loss of 32 yards and had a sack, an interception, and a pass breakup on the year. The senior is also majoring in business and has a 3.78 cumulative GPA.
Hanifan was the most active cornerback on the team and led with six pass breakups in nine games. His 43 tackles were fifth on the team, and he added two tackles for loss and an interception. Just finishing his senior season, he has a cumulative GPA of 3.2 with a major in business.
Kelsey had 40 tackles from his defensive linemen position and led the team with 11 tackles for loss in 10 games. He also contributed a sack and a forced fumble in his junior campaign. Majoring in biochemistry, he holds a cumulative GPA of 3.54.
Piercy had 16 catches for 263 yards and a touchdown in nine games of action this season. The touchdown came on senior day in his last collegiate football game against Trine. A business major, Piercy has a cumulative GPA of 3.52.
Riley was the second leading rusher on 66 rush attempts for 250 yards and a touchdown in eight games. He added six catches for 42 yards and another touchdown while throwing for another score down at the goal line. After finishing his sophomore season, Riley has a cumulative GPA of 3.85 with a major in business.
Spates was the leading receiver for the Hornets this season, hauling in 51 receptions for 537 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. His best game came against Hope, as he had 14 catches for 164 yards and a score. The sophomore has a 3.70cumulative GPA with a major in business.
Zeller made seven starts at the center position on the offensive line this season. Overall, the team had 319 rushes for 739 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Finishing his junior season on the field, Zeller has a 3.53 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 late December.