Four Green Knights Named D3football.com All-West Region

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, December 4, 2018 | Football
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

DE PERE - St. Norbert College had four football players named to the D3football.com All-West Region team.

Senior kicker Spenser Thompson-Meyers, senior offensive tackle Kyle Rademaker and senior linebacker Matt Gurgone were all named to the first team, while junior offensive guard Austin Rupiper was named to the third team.

Thompson-Meyers, a San Ramon, Calif, native, was a third-team All-West Region honoree a year ago. Thompson-Meyers, a first-team All-America selection by the American Football Coaches Association in 2017, is a four-time first-team All-Midwest Conference choice. Thompson-Meyers, St. Norbert's career leader in made field goals and point-after attempts, was 49-for-50 on point-after tries and was 13-for-18 on field goals.

Rademaker, an Eden Prairie, Minn., native, was a third-team All-West Region selection last season. The Midwest Conference Offensive Line Most Valuable Player, Rademaker, playing left tackle, was charged with just one sack allowed in 2018. He is a two-time first-team All-MWC selection.

Gurgone, an Orland Park, Ill., native, earned his first all-region selection after totaling 69 tackles with 18 1/2 tackles-for-loss, seven quarterback sacks, five interceptions, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Gurgone, the Midwest Conference Defensive Skill Most Valuable Player, scored five defensive touchdowns. He is a two-time first-team All-MWC choice.

Rupiper, an Evansville native, helped the Green Knights average 215.5 yards per game rushing. St. Norbert averaged a lusty 4.9 yards per carry. Rupiper, who played right guard, earned his first All-MWC selection in 2018. This is his first all-region selection.

St. Norbert finished the season 10-2 overall and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Green Knights won their 17th Midwest Conference title in 34 years with a 10-7 win over Monmouth College in the MWC Championship Game on Nov. 10 in De Pere.