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
