Press Release

Nov. 8, 2007

Four Northwest Football Players Earn Academic Honors

MARYVILLE, Mo.-Sean Paddock, Matt Nelson, Myles Burnsides and Evan Wilmes have been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII Football Team announced Thursday by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Paddock is a first-team selection and as a result is a nominee for the Academic All-America team. Nelson, Burnsides and Wilmes earned second-team honors.

Paddock, a sophomore defensive lineman, is second on the team with 4.5 sacks this season. Seven of his 38 tackles are for loss and he has forced two fumbles. He had a career-high two sacks and seven tackles in Northwest's win against Central Missouri (10/13).

Paddock maintains a 3.68 grade point average and is majoring in business management.

Nelson is a junior offensive lineman for a team that leads the MIAA in total offense and features the 18th-best rushing attack in the nation. The Bearcats have allowed 10 sacks this season in nine games, a 1.11 average that ranks 19th in Division II. Nelson maintains a 3.54 grade point average and is majoring in corporate recreation and wellness.

Burnsides, a sophomore defensive back, is currently the third leading tackler for the Bearcats with 47. Burnsides leads the team with two interceptions, including a 27-yard return for a touchdown against Southwest Baptist (9/29). Burnsides has also recovered a fumble and broken up five passes this season. He tied his career high with nine tackles against Central Missouri.

Burnsides is a business management major with a cumulative GPA of 3.87.

Wilmes, a sophomore linebacker, has maintained a 4.0 grade point average while majoring in philosophy. Wilmes has 28 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks this season in nine starts. He had a career-best six stops against then-11th-ranked Nebraska-Omaha in the season opener (9/8).

To be eligible for nomination, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.2 grade point average, be at least a sophomore in academic and athletic standing and have attended his current academic institution for a minimum of one year.