Pioneers Earn Multiple Honors from the WIAC

Five members of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville offense, four members of the defense and three members of special teams units were selected to the 2011 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Football Team by the league coaches announced by league officials on Thursday.

The Pioneer offense was represented on the first team by senior tight end Jake Wiederholt from Fennimore. Five Pioneers were selected to the second team including senior wide receiver, Darin Blaser (Aledo, Ill.), offensive linemen senior Adam Cook (Morrison, Ill.) and junior Colton Friemuth (South Beloit, Ill.). Junior Lee Vlasak (Blanchardville, Wis.) as an all-purpose player was named honorable mention.

On the defensive side of the ball, UW-Platteville had three players earn first team recognition and another selected honorable mention. Juniors defensive lineman Corey Marks (New Lenox, Ill.), Nick Snyder (Mt. Morris, Ill.) and defensive back Ryan McWethy (Oregon, Ill.) were all named to the first team. It is the second-consecutive year that Marks has been named first team all-conference. Freshman Jacob Zilbar (Tampa, Fla.), who was the lone freshman on the entire all-WIAC team, was named honorable mention.

The Pioneers special teams units also earned recognition including senior punter Zak Brinkman (Cassville) and sophomore place kicker Zach Litchfield (Waupaca, Wis.), who picked up second team accolades. Plus, senior Chad Roscoe (Aurora, Ill.) as a return specialist was named honorable mention.

Nick Anderson, a junior quarterback from Sycamore, Illinois was selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team for his display of exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season.
The Pioneers finished the 2011 season with a 7-3 season and 5-2 mark in the WIAC. It is the first seven-win season and five conference wins since 1990. Plus, the Pioneers recorded four home wins for the first time since 2004 and four-straight conference wins for the first time since 1980.