10 Tommies get All-MIAC recognition in football

November 19, 2001
St. Thomas had five first-team and five honorable mention honorees on the 2001 All-MIAC football team announced Nov. 19. The Tommies finished 7-2 in the conference for third place.

Repeat honorees were DT-OG Andy Kaiser (SR-Mora), RB Jake Barkley (JR-Plymouth/Robbinsdale Armstrong) and WR Andrew Hilliard (JR-Woodbury). They were joined by QB Nick Ambrasas (JR-St. Paul/Arlington) and DE Sean O'Leary (JR-Wisconsin Rapids, Wis./Lincoln).

Five others earned honorable mention all-conference -- LB Rick Joslin (JR-Cambridge/Cambridge-Isanti), FS Matt Meunier (FR-Brooklyn Park/Osseo), TE Jon Learn SR-Red Wing), OT Logan Kane (JR-Inver Grove Heights/South St. Paul) and OG-center Justin Wallick (SO-Bloomington/Kennedy).

Kaiser, an Accounting major with a 3.83 gpa, started all 40 games in his career and helped the Tommies post a 27-9 conference record during that stretch. He started both on the offensive and defensive line the last six games of 2001 and helped the Tommies post a 7-3 record. He finished with 244 tackles, 17.5 sacks, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries while scoring four touchdowns on his career.

Barkley, a Business major with a 3.88 gpa, finished fourth nationally in Division III rushing at 143.8 ypg. In nine games this season he rushed for 1,294 yards and nine touchdowns, with a 189-yard game vs. 8-2 St. John', a 201-yard effort vs. 7-3 Gustavus and a 178-yard outing vs. 7-4 Bemidji State. He rushed for 100-plus yards 14 times in the last two seasons. He became the ninth rusher in MIAC history to surpass 3,000 career yards. With one season left to play, he's gained 3,135 yards rushing and 3,674 all-purpose yards in 28 career games.

Hilliard, a Mathematics major with a 3.987 gpa, finished 17th nationally in Division III receiving yards per game (108.6). In nine games he caught 13 touchdown passes and made 52 catches for 977 yards. He had 12 receptions of 34 or more yards this season. In 29 career games he's had 98 receptions for 1,808 yards and 17 touchdowns with one season left to play. He's a three-time relay All-American in track and field and also qualified for nationals in the 400 hurdles in 2001.

O'Leary, a two-year defensive starter who moved from linebacker this season, led the MIAC in sacks and finished fourth in Division III with 15 sacks.

Ambrasas completed 53% of his passes (154-of-291) for 2,354 yards, with 26 TDs and just 11 interceptions. He was named MIAC Player of the Week after leading the Toms to a 28-27 win over Gustavus. The Tommies are 11-4 in MIAC games since he became the starter midway through the 2000 season.

see MIAC honor teams here