HEIDELBERG: Six Student Princes Selected to Academic All-OAC Football Team

TIFFIN, Ohio—Six Student Princes were selected to the 2011 Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference football team, announced today by the league office. Senior offensive lineman Derrick Arbogast (Tiffin/Calvert) and junior linebacker Craig Sykes (Centerburg) were named to the first team, while junior wide receiver Mario Escalante (Highland Heights, Ky./Newport Central Catholic), junior defensive lineman Stephen Fejedelem (Ravenna), sophomore fullback Aaron Kapelka (Fostoria/Hopewell-Loudon) and junior linebacker Andy Lovins (Clinton Township, Mich./Lake Shore) earned honorable mention accolades.

To be selected to the Academic All-OAC team, student-athletes must hold a 3.25 cumulative grade-point-average, be in their second year of eligibility and be a starter or key reserve.

Arbogast, Sykes and Fejedelem were also named All-OAC earlier this month.

Arbogast, an education major who carries a 3.91 GPA, is making his second appearance on the first team in 2011. The second-team All-OAC and Capital One/College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District VII pick helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for 4,572 yards of total offense, just 26 yards shy of the single-season school record set a year ago, on a team that averaged 35.4 points per game. In addition, the 'Berg offense boasted the league's No. 1 and No. 4 rushers and Student Prince quarterbacks were sacked just nine times to tie for a league best.

Sykes, who carries a 3.88 GPA in biology/pre-med, led the team and was seventh in the league with 88 tackles, tallied 10 TFL and 4.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered another, and tied for third in the league with four interceptions. Sykes is an honorable mention All-OAC selection and is also an Academic All-District VII pick.

Escalante, a business administration major with a 3.60 GPA, led the receiving corps with 27 receptions and 512 yards and caught two touchdown passes, including a 76-yarder against Wilmington.

Fejedelem, who carries a 3.48 GPA in computer science, made 46 tackles, including six for loss, recorded three sacks and forced two fumbles to lead the defensive front, and returned a fumble 30 yards for a TD in the last game of the season. Fejedelem was also selected second-team All-OAC.

Kapelka, an education major with a 4.0 GPA, served as the primary blocking back for sophomore two-time All-OAC running back Germany Woods (Cleveland/Lakewood St. Edward), who set the single-season school record for rushing yards. Kapelka carried the ball seven times for 33 yards and caught four passes out of the backfield for 38 yards and one TD.

Lovins, who carries a 3.60 GPA in criminal justice, was second on the team with 7.0 sacks and notched 15 total tackles. He also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.

Heidelberg's six Academic All-OAC selections give it at least a share of the league lead for the second consecutive year.