Laterza Earns Associated Press Little All-America Honor

From Sports Information Director, December 18, 2015 | Football
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College senior defensive back Frank Laterza has earned a third-team selection to the Associated Press Little All-America Team.

Laterza, a Barrington Hills, Ill., native and a St. Viator High School graduate, is the first St. Norbert player to earn AP Little All-America honors since 2001. The AP Little All-America Team includes players from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA programs.

Latzera was named Midwest Conference Defensive Skill Player of the Year following a year where he led the Green Knights to a 10-1 overall record and an unbeaten 10-win regular season. St. Norbert captured the Midwest Conference championship, its 16th since 1985, with a 16-7 win over Monmouth College in the league's title game on Nov. 14.

Laterza led the Green Knights this season with six interceptions with 121 return yards. He added seven passes defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble to his total of 23 tackles. St. Norbert's defense allowed just 155.5 yards passing per game and the unit finished with 21 interceptions, its most since 2006. The Green Knights also allowed just 13.4 points per game this season.

Laterza is the fourth St. Norbert player to earn honors on a team of the AP Little All-America Team. Jerimiah Janssen was a first-team selection at linebacker in 2001 and a second-team choice in 2000. Dave Jacquet was a first-team honoree as a defensive lineman in 1964 and Norm Jarock was a first-team honoree in 1957.

A total of 18 other St. Norbert football players have earned 19 AP Little All-America honorable mention honors dating back to 1951.