The Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA) will recognize 26 outstanding student-athletes with the 2016 Indiana Academic All-Stars Award presented by American Family Insurance.
The student-athletes will be honored during an awards presentation prior to the game against Houston on Sunday, December 11. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium (event level on the northeast corner of the stadium, access off of Capitol Avenue between the East and Lucas Oil Gates). The 2016 honorees will also be recognized during pre-game in front of the Lucas Oil Stadium crowd. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. EST.
2016 marks the 18th year the Colts, the IHSAA and the IFCA have partnered to present this annual award to Indiana's top football student-athletes. American Family Insurance – the Madison, WI-based insurance company dedicated to inspiring and protecting the dreams of local high school students, their families and communities – is proud to support this storied program for the third time.
The IFCA polled high school head coaches around the state, and the coaches tabbed 26 athletes ranked in the top of their respective classes. Of the players selected, there are 18 valedictorians and 6 salutatorians, and all 26 players are in the top 1.5% of their graduating classes.
"Congratulations to the 26 outstanding student-athletes who were selected by our committee to represent their schools this past football season. Special thanks to the Irsay family and the Indianapolis Colts organization for their continuing support of Indiana high school football," said Toby Jacobs, who is part of the IFCA Colts Academic All- State Committee.
"Congratulations to the 26 exceptional student-athletes for their tremendous work on and off the field. These student-athletes have achieved great success in the classroom and on the field by demonstrating dedication, leadership and teamwork. Qualities in which their schools and communities should be proud," said Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor member, Bill Brooks.
" Each of these student-athletes has achieved their own dreams of greatness by demonstrating the qualities that make them stand out both on and off the field. Qualities like leadership, teamwork and academics. They have set exceptional examples for those who follow them, and I strongly encourage each and every one of them to continue the interests they have developed, continue to dream and pursue those dreams," said Bill Maynard, Agency Sales Manager for American Family Insurance.
Media members are invited to cover Sunday's press conference. Reporters and photographers may report to Meeting Rooms 1 and 2 at 10:00 a.m. For more information, please call Laura Porter at (317) 450-9311 or Rob Louthain at (317) 418-3677.
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ACADEMIC ALL-STARS BY POSITION
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OFFENSE
OL |
Derek |
Bertucci |
Wheeler High School |
OL |
Tyler |
Kirk |
Mitchell High School |
OL |
David |
Flannelly |
North Putnam High School |
OL |
Dylan |
York |
Fountain Central High School |
OL |
Leon |
Valdez II |
East Chicago Central High School |
TE |
Drew |
Minninch |
Northwood High School |
WR |
Noah |
Thomas |
Ben Davis High School |
WR |
Matt |
Marley |
West Lafayette High School |
WR |
Aaron |
Litherland |
Elwood Community High School |
RB |
Michael |
Otley |
Roncalli High School |
RB |
Dylan |
Spesard |
Carroll (Flora) High School |
QB |
Trey |
Powell |
Sullivan High School |
QB |
Austin |
Lawrence |
Winchester Community High School |
DEFENSE
DL |
Robert |
Brown |
Monroe Central High School |
DL |
Eli |
Kipp |
Fishers High School |
DL |
Jonah |
Hunter |
Seeger High School |
DL |
Keegan |
Hurst |
Penn High School |
DL |
John |
Ragan |
Eastbrook High School |
LB |
Eddison |
Peters |
Heritage Hills High School |
LB |
Jacob |
Geesaman |
Jay County High School |
DB |
Sean |
Ratigan |
South Bend St. Joseph High School |
DB |
Jack |
DeGroot |
Winamac Community High School |
DB |
Adam |
Dauby |
Perry Central High School |
DB |
Dylan |
Hagemeier |
North Knox High School |
SPECIAL TEAMS
PUNT |
Jonah |
Sanders |
South Putnam High School |
PK |
Joshua |
Krsek |
Culver Community High School |