PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - West Chester University was well represented on the 2011
Philadelphia Inquirer Acacemic All-Area squad, which was announced Thursday afternoon. The Golden Rams put five players on the list.
Seniors
Brian McDermott and
Gerry Penrose and juniors
John O'Donnell and
Matt McLaughlin were joined by red-shirt freshman
Ronell Williams on this year's squad. Rowan senior kicker Tommy Wilczynski was named the 2011
Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Performer of the Year. Wilczynski is one of 25 student-athletes selected to the
Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Football Team. The team is voted on by the sports information offices of the 28 area institutions from the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
McDermott, a fullback, rushed for 67 yards and three touchdowns this past season while carrying a 3.29 grade-point average in Professional Studies. He also caught three passes on the year for 14 yards. Penrose was a mainstay along the offensive line for the Golden Rams in each of the past four campaigns. He held down a 3.15 GPA in Finance. McLaughlin was West Chester's starting tight end, who caught 12 passes for 157 yards. He also returned one kickoff for 14 yards. McLaughlin was a two-year starter at fullback until making the switch in the summer to tight end. He earned a 3.53 GPA in Finance.
On the defensive side of the ball, John O'Donnell led the Golden Rams in interceptions with three, despite playing in just seven games. He registered 31 tackles, including one sack, as well. O'Donnell carries a 3.19 GPA in Psychology. Linebacker Ronell Williams led the Golden Rams in tackles with 79, despite making just three starts. He registered 3.5 tackles for a loss, including 2.5 sacks, while breaking up one pass, recording three QB hurries and recovering one fumble. He finished the year with double-digits in stops in each of West Chester's last three games. Williams has earned a 3.06 GPA in Physical Education during his two years at West Chester. Both Williams and O'Donnell were honored by the PSAC as player of the week during the football season.
The 2011 Academic All-Area football team includes players from seven different schools, with all seven having at least two players selected to the team. There are also five repeat selections from a year ago. Temple led all schools with seven team members on the All-Area squad. A player must have earned at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA for their college career, been enrolled at their current institution for at least two semesters and be a starter or significant reserve to be nominated for the all-area team.
West Chester finished the 2011 season 5-6 overall and 4-3 in the PSAC Eastern Division.
