Nov. 14, 2007

Complete GLIAC All-Conference Release in PDF Format

Bay City, Mich. - Running back Richard Stokes was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) First Team and Brandon Hill, Zac Wild and Theo Hall were all selected to the second team by vote of the conference coaches Wednesday. The Lakers also had six players named to the honorable mention list.

Stokes, a junior, is the first Mercyhurst player to be named to the first team since Jim Schuler was selected as a punter in 2004 and the four players selected to the first and second team units are the most since four players were selected that same season.

Stokes broke the Mercyhurst single season record with 1,177 yards rushing and had five games of at least 150 yards toting the ball. After rushing for 244 yards in a 42-23 win over Ferris State and compiling a school-record 361 all-purpose yards, he was named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week. He also tied the school record with 13 rushing touchdowns and added a receiving touchdown for 14 total scores.

Hill, a senior, was named to the second team after a strong season as a tight end. He had 40 catches for 633 yards receiving and added four touchdowns. He is also a tremendous run blocker, helping Stokes to break the team's rushing record, and was the squad's punter until a leg injury forced him out of that role over the final three games. Hill had a huge game against Ashland, a team that qualified for the NCAA playoffs, catching nine passes for 163 yards and a touchdown.

Wild, a junior, made the second team as a defensive lineman. He was third on the team with 72 tackles and ranks second in the GLIAC with 15 tackles for loss. He added 6.5 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Hall, a junior cornerback, ranks first in the GLIAC in passes defended, with 17, and fourth in interceptions, with five. He also had 49 tackles, two blocked kicks and was the team's primary kick returner. Hall broke the school records with 44 kick returns and 1,043 yards, an average of 23.7 per return, good for second in the GLIAC.

Along with those four, senior quarterback Mitch Phillis and senior offensive lineman Gary Smith were named honorable mention. Junior wide receiver Aaron Haynes, sophomore linebacker Charlie Gleisner, sophomore linebacker Tim Herbener and sophomore tight end Josh Szeluga were also named honorable mention.