BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott student-athletes Justyn Lester (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Colin Meropoulos (Monroe, Conn.) have been named D3football.com All-Americans, as announced during the organization's pregame show tonight before the DIII National Championship game.
Lester, a senior guard, was selected to the D3football.com All-America Third Team Offense, while Meropoulos, a senior defensive tackle, was chosen to the outlet's All-America Fourth Team Defense.
The honors are firsts in their respective careers.
As a program, the Gulls have garnered seven D3football.com All-America honors since its inception in 2003 (five postseason, two preseason accolades).
JUSTYN LESTER | SR. | G
Lester is the first offensive lineman in program history to claim All-America honors from any organization (excludes honorable mention).
Additionally, Lester was the highest-selected offensive lineman from New England and only one of three chosen from the region among the four All-America teams.
The senior guard's postseason awards this fall include D3football.com All-Region I First Team honors, a selection to the New England Football Writers DII/III All-New England Team, Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Offensive Lineman of the Year laurels, and a spot on the All-CCC First Team.
Lester did not allow a single sack in conference play and anchored an offensive line that currently ranks No. 8 overall for sacks allowed (0.64) in Division III.
The Gulls also rank No. 13 in 3rd down conversion percentage (.510), No. 6 in 4th down conversion percentage (.714), No. 49 in red zone offense (.843), No. 21 in rushing offense (213.9), and No. 11 for tackles for loss allowed (3.55).
COLIN MEROPOULOS | SR. | DT
Meropoulos joins Endicott Hall of Famer Kevin Eagan '12 as the only defensive lineman in program history to receive All-America honors, aside from preseason recognition.
The senior, who played a mixture of defensive end and defensive tackle throughout the year, was only one of two New England student-athletes chosen to a D3football.com All-America team this fall (both fourth team honorees).
Meropoulos racked up several awards this season including D3football.com All-Region I Defensive Player of the Year honors, D3football.com All-Region I First Team accolades, a New England Football Writers DII/III All-New England Team selection, the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Defensive Lineman of the Year award, and All-CCC First Team laurels.
He accomplished those honors by compiling 44 total tackles (17 solo, 27 assisted, 10 tackles for a loss) to go with four sacks and two forced fumbles.
The Gulls' defense currently ranks No. 3 overall among all DIII programs in scoring defense at 9.7 points per game.
Earlier today, Meropoulos also was chosen as one of six finalists for the DIII Cliff Harris Award out of 400 All-Region selections by the D3football.com staff.
The Cliff Harris Award, named after the NFL Hall of Famer, recognizes the top small college defensive players of the year from DII, DIII, and NAIA universities and colleges.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Endicott posted a 9-2 overall record and the second-ever undefeated conference season (5-0) in CCC football history.
The Gulls earned the highest national ranking in program history at No. 14 overall in both national polls and captured their first-ever win over a nationally ranked opponent – No. 5/5 Hardin-Simmons, 37-10, on Friday, September 22.
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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)
