Three Rapid City natives named all-GPAC

By Journal staff | Wednesday, November 19, 2008

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Three Rapid City natives were among 19 Dakota Wesleyan University named to the Great Plains Athletic Conference football team.

Punter Nick Tolsma was a first-team special teams selection. Tolsma, a junior from Rapid City, solidified his status as one of the best punters in both the GPAC and the entire NAIA in 2008.

Tolsma punted 49 times in 2008 for 2,087 yards and a GPAC-leading average of 42.6 yards per punt. He nailed a career-long punt of 70 yards, and also had a pair of 66-yard kicks. For most of the season, Tolsma led the NAIA with an average over 44 yards per punt, but 30-mile per hour winds in the second-to-last game of the season hampered his chances to lead the nation. The junior finished the season fourth in the NAIA, just 0.4 yards per punt behind the nation’s leader, Zach Thiry of Carroll College. Tolsma was an All-GPAC second-team selection in 2007 and an All-GPAC honorable mention pick as a true freshman in 2006.

Offensive guard James Hansen was also a first-team selection. Hansen, a sophomore from Rapid City, anchored an offensive line that produced the GPAC’s No. 3 total offense, No. 4 scoring offense and No. 5 rushing offense. Hansen, who saw most of his time at right guard, helped DWU produce the third-most first downs in the league (199), the third for the fewest sacks allowed (13) and the third-best time of possession average (32:07). Hansen was an All-GPAC second team selection as a freshman in 2007.

Defensive lineman Dane Carlson was a repeat honorable mention selection after finishing the season with 19 solo tackles, 36 assisted tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-a-loss and a fumble recovery.

Other West River athletes selected were Kirk Byrd, a junior from Murdo, who earned his first All-GPAC nod for his play at the other offensive tackle spot. Defensive end Kyle Meier, a senior from Kennebec, moved up to the All-GPAC first team after earning second team honors as a junior. During his senior year, the defensive end made 24 solo tackles, 21 assist tackles, 12.5 tackles-for-a-loss, 6.5 sacks and he forced one fumble.

Meier earned GPAC defensive player-of-the-week honors for his role in the Tigers’ upset of Midland Lutheran College and he finished third in the league in sacks and tied for sixth in tackles-for-a-loss.

The Tigers finished the regular season ranked No. 25 in the nation, following a 7-3 season and a third-place finish in one of the nation’s toughest football conferences.