Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton College Football team held its annual postseason banquet on January 30. The program honored the members of the 2015 CCIW Champion Thunder football team, along with several individual honors.
Senior linebacker
Adam Dansdill was named Team MVP at the event. Dansdill earned the Fred Lange Memorial Award for "Most Valuable Player". Dansdill was a two-time First Team All-American selection at linebacker by D3football.com and was selected as a semifinalist for the Cliff Harris Award as the best small school defensive player in the nation. The two-time CCIW Defensive Player of the Year led the Thunder with 115 tackles including 14 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Senior running back
Danny Puknaitis was honored with the James Parmelee Memorial Award for "Most Respected Player". A senior captain, Puknaitis tallied 417 yards on 97 carries and seven touchdowns. The CCIW Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 9, Puknaitis also recorded nine special teams tackles.
Senior defensive tackle
Josh Aldrin received the John Henry Toughness Award. Aldrin made 44 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss. A First Team All-CCIW selection and Third Team All-North Region honoree by D3football.com, Aldrin played most of the season on a torn ACL yet tallied a season-best nine tackles in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs against UW-Whitewater.
John Clark earned the High Ground Award for special teams. A senior linebacker, Clark totalled 14 tackles as well as a fumble recovery and an interception. Clark recorded a career-high for tackles in a game in Wheaton's first round victory over Lakeland in the NCAA Playoffs.
The JR Bishop "Scholar Athlete Award" went to senior offensive tackle
Matt Snebold. Snebold was a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy as the top player in Division III. A Second Team All-American selection by D3football.com, Snebold did not allow a sack in his final two seasons for the "Orange and Blue".
The 12th Man Award for "Scout Team Player of the Year" on defense went to linebacker
Jacob Killeen and the award on offense was awarded to superback
Noah Frazier.
Also honored at the banquet were the team's All-CCIW selections:
Josh Aldrin,
Caleb Ashby,
Andrew Bowers,
Wes Cannonier,
Adam Dansdill,
Peter Gibson,
Kyler Kregel,
Andrew Lindquist,
Zach Lindquist,
Logan McRae,
Alex Mendez,
Sola Olateju,
Matt Snebold and
Mikey Swider.
The All-North Region honorees from Wheaton were honored:
Josh Aldrin,
Wes Cannonier,
Adam Dansdill,
Peter Gibson,
Zach Lindquist,
Logan McRae,
Alex Mendez,
Matt Snebold and
Mikey Swider.
Adam Dansdill,
Peter Gibson and
Matt Snebold were recogized at the banquet for their selection to the D3football.com All-American Team.
