Wheaton, Ill. – Two members of the Wheaton defense earned First Team recognition to the 2019 Division III All-America Team that was announced by the Associated Press on Thursday afternoon. Defensive tackle Dallas McRae earned First Team recognition to the defensive line and corner back Spencer Rowland was a First Team honoree at defensive back.

Dallas McRae, recently selected as a First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, was named the CCIW Defensive Player of the Year and D3football.com Defensive Player of the Year this fall. The defensive tackle led Division III's top-ranked defense this season with 18.5 tackles for loss (-102 yards), including 8.5 quarterback sacks (-72 yards). He recorded 52 total tackles, including 36 solo stops. McRae registered a team-high eight quarterback hurries, forced one fumble and recovered a fumble.

Cornerback Spencer Rowland tied for Wheaton's team lead in interceptions this season with four picks returned for 65 yards. He recorded 36 total tackles, including 29 solos. Rowland led the Thunder and the CCIW with 18 passes defended this year. He broke up a team-high 14 passes in the 2019 season.

The 2019 season marks the third-straight year that the Associated Press has named student athletes to a Division III All-America Team. Previously Division III football players were named to the Associated Press "Little All-America Team" that also consisted of NCAA Division II player and NAIA standouts. In 2017, Wheaton seniors Zach Lindquist (tight end) and Chase Greenlee (defensive end) were named to the inaugural Associated Press Division III All-America Team. In 2018, senior linebacker Eric Stevenson picked up First Team recognition.