FB's Paul Sommerstad on preseason All-America team

July 16, 2004
St. Thomas senior-to-be Paul Sommerstad (Apple Valley/Eastview) has been named to the 2004 Football Gazette Division III Preseason All-America team. Sommerstad is on the third team at defensive back.

Sommerstad is one of three MIAC players among 76 recognized on the preseason team. St. John's sophomore linebacker Jamie Steffensmeier and Carleton junior DB Nick Brokke were also on the honor teams.

A co-captain for 2004, Sommerstad will be in the starting lineup for his fourth season. He has five interceptions, 181 tackles, a fumble recovery and 12 pass break-ups on his career. He had 14 tackles in the 2003 season-ending loss to Concordia-Moorhead and made first-team All-MIAC and third team Football Gazette All-West Region. He has a 3.576 gpa in Finance and made third team Academic All-District last season.

Sommerstad's brother Pat will join the Tommie team this fall. Pat Sommerstad is also an Eastview High graduate and played in the Minnesota High School All-Star Game in June.

St. Thomas finished 3-7 in 2003 but will return 18 starters -- 10 on defense, seven on offense and a placekicker. The Tommies begin practice Aug. 22 and open the season Sept. 11 with a non-conference game at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.


see preseason All-America list here