Nov. 6, 2008
Hampton, VA - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced the 2008 All-CIAA Football Team and Players of the Year, which feature seven Fayetteville State University student-athletes. Three Broncos earned 1st Team All-CIAA honors, while four were All-CIAA 2nd Team selections; including Special Teams Player of the Year Richard Medlin.
The Special Teams Player of the Year was awarded to Raleigh, NC native, Richard Medlin. Medlin, 6'1, 220 lbs running back, leads the conference in scoring with 78 points, ranks first in scoring and rushing touchdowns, and ranks fourth in the conference in rushing yardage (688 yds). Medlin was also an All-CIAA first team selection as a kickoff returner. The sophomore not only leads the conference, he also ranks first in the national in Division II as a kickoff specialist. He has amassed 383 yards and three touchdowns; his longest return was 89 yards.
Junior defensive back Jeff Gowdy earns all-conference honors for the second consecutive season. Gowdy, a 5'11, 175 lbs free safety, elevated his performance from last season which earned him a 2nd Team selection. This season Gowdy takes home 1st Team honors and shares lead in the conference for interceptions with six.
Junior transfer linebacker Marcos Esquivel rounds out the three Bronco 1st Team members. Esquivel is a 6'1, 235 lbs native of Keary, AZ, that came to FSU this season from Mesa Community College. In Esquivel's first season in the CIAA, he ranks third in the conference in total tackles (78), forced fumbles (3) and tackles for a loss.
FSU had four student-athletes added to the 2nd Team All-CIAA list of honorees. On the offensive side of the ball, sophomore center Dillon Kestner and junior offensive tackle Cedric Willis made the list. Kestner, a 6'2, 260 lbs native of Durham, NC was voted CIAA Offensive Lineman of the Week this season in weeks five and six.
Senior receiver Darryl Barnett was another honoree. Barnett, a 6'4, 210 lbs native of Raeford, NC leads the conference in receiving touchdowns with 12 and ranks sixth in receptions (33). Barnett was recently named CIAA Receiver of the Week for week ten.
Senior Donte' Wise earned 2nd Team honors as a defensive back. Wise, a 5'8, 175 lbs native of Fayetteville, NC currently ranks 8th in the CIAA in passes defended (9 break-ups) and interceptions (4).
The Offensive Player of the Year award goes to quarterback Curtis Rich of Elizabeth City State University. Defensive Player of the Year, Louis Ellis represents the Shaw University Bears as a defensive end.
