Gostisha, Myers, Straughan chosen for All-MWC football team

Jackson Straughan
Jackson Straughan
Terrell Myers Jr.
Terrell Myers Jr.
Jake Gostisha
Jake Gostisha

APPLETON, Wis. — Three Lawrence University football players have been chosen for the All-Midwest Conference team in a vote of league coaches.

Linebacker Jake Gostisha (Appleton, Wis./East) was a first-team selection, and offensive tackle Jackson Straughan (Heber City, Utah/Wasatch) and cornerback Terrell Myers Jr. (Marietta, Ga./Marietta), were both named to the second team.

Gostisha, a junior, was chosen for the second consecutive year after earning second-team honors in 2015. Gostisha piled up 107 tackles on the season and finished third in the Midwest Conference at 10.7 tackles per game.

Gostisha is the first Lawrence player to record 100 tackles in a season since 2003, and his 107 tackles is the most for a Viking since Jacques Hacquebord had 112 in 2003. Gostisha recorded six double-digit tackle games during the season and had a career-high 15 tackles vs. Grinnell.

Gostisha, who had 6.5 tackles for loss, tied for the conference lead with five interceptions. He also picked up two pass breakups, forced one fumble and recovered another.

Myers was one of just three freshmen named to the all-conference team. He recorded 36 tackles, including 1.0 TFLs, and had a team-high seven pass breakups. Myers recorded a season-high eight tackles at Knox.

Myers also was one of the league’s most dangerous return men and was named the MWC Special Teams Player of the Week following a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown vs. Illinois College.

Myers led the conference and was fifth in NCAA Division III by averaging 32.6 yards per kickoff return. That broke the Lawrence record of 28.5 set by College Football Hall of Famer Scott Reppert in 1982.

Straughan, a senior tackle, was chosen for the second team for the second consecutive season. Straughan, who was paired with four freshmen starters, helped the Vikings finish third in the conference in rushing at 203.9 yards per game.