FIVE TIGER FOOTBALL PLAYERS EARN GPAC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS

Mitchell, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan football has five representatives for the All-Conference team for the 2022 season. Two, First Team All-Conference honors in running back Jamin Arend and defensive back Adam DeJong. A Second Team All-Conference player in offensive lineman TJ Benton (2^nd time receiving award) and two Honorable Mentions with receiver Kiel Nelson and defensive lineman Ethan Engen receiving the honors.

Jamin Arend (First Team All-Conference)- Jamin Arend started all 11 games for the Tigers in the backfield and has been selected to the GPAC First Team All-Conference. Arend rushed for 1,201 yards (7^th all-time in DWU history), team high 12 touchdowns (11 rushing / 1 receiving), second on the team in receptions with 33 for 189 yards and recorded nine kick returns for 234 yards (26.0 avg). Arend rushed for 100+ yards in six of the 11 total games. His two biggest performances came against Jamestown (9/3/22) when he rushed for career-high 198 yards and three touchdowns and against Mount Marty (11/5/22) when he had 186 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Jamin currently sits first in the GPAC in rushing yards (1,201), rushes (247) and all-purpose yards (1,624). In the NAIA Arend is top-10 in rush yards and 3^rd in all-purpose yards. Arend finished his career with 2,619 yards rushing which is 8^th all-time in DWU football history, 21 touchdowns (19 rushing / 2 receiving), 85 receptions and 672 yards receiving.

Adam DeJong (First Team All-Conference)- Adam DeJong started all 11 games in the secondary for the Tigers and has received GPAC First Team All-Conference honors. DeJong finished the season with seven interceptions which is currently still the top mark in all the NAIA and GPAC. Adam added 45 total tackles, 2.5 TFL and four pass breakups. Top performance of the year was his school record tying three interception game (two returned for touchdowns) against Briar Cliff (10/15/22) to help the Tigers to their first win of the season. DeJong also recorded a stat stuffer game against No. 17 Midland (10/22/22) where he had season highs eight total tackles and 2.0 TFL while also adding an interception. DeJong finished his career with 92 total tackles, 7.0 TFL, one fumble recovery, eight interceptions and six pass breakups.

TJ Benton (Second Team All-Conference)- TJ Benton started in all 11 games as the leader on the offensive line for the Tigers. This is Benton's second All-Conference award with earning second team honors last season. Benton was a key player in having the No. 1 rusher in the GPAC and top-10 in the NAIA, creating lanes for Arend who ran behind Benton with big success all season.

Kiel Nelson (Honorable Mention)- Kiel Nelson started in all 11 games at receiver for the Tigers earning Honorable Mention honors at the new position in his first season. Nelson made the switch from quarterback last year to receiver for this season and made an immediate impact. Nelson finished the season with 711 yards receiving on 51 receptions (6 shy of being top-10 single-season in DWU history) and seven touchdowns (6 receiving / 1 rushing). Kiel's top performance was in the first game of the season against Dakota State (8/25/22) when he went off for a season high 12 receptions, 121 yards and one touchdown. Nelson also had a big day against Hastings (9/24/22) when he recorded six receptions for a season high 142 yards and a touchdown. Nelson currently sits fifth in receiving yards in the GPAC.  With these yearly totals Kiel also finished his career with last year's numbers of 1,093 yards passing, six touchdowns, 371 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns.

Ethan Engen (Honorable Mention)- Ethan Engen started in all games on the defensive front for the Tigers earning Honorable Mention honors for the 2022 season. Engen finished the season with a career-high 49 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, 7.0 TFL and a team-high four blocks. Top performance of the season came in the season finale against Mount Marty (11/5/22) when he recorded a career-high and game-high 10 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1.5 TFL and blocked two crucial kicks to seal the win for the Tigers. Engen also was credited with six tackles, 0.5 sack and one blocked kick against Dakota State (9/25/22). Ethan currently sits at 82 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 14.5 TFL and five blocked kicks for his career.