MINNEAPOLIS-- Trine's Derek Scott and Marcus Winters have earned recognition on the D3football.com All-North Region Team, the organization announced today.
Scott (Niles, Mich. / Niles), an offensive lineman, was recognized as a guard on the Third Team Offense. Winter (Toledo, Ohio / Central Catholic) earned Third Team Defense honors as a cornerback. Each player received All-Region honors for the first time. This is the first time the Thunder have produced multiple All-Region honorees since 2012. Players who receive All-Region honors are eligible for D3football.com All-American consideration, which will be announced the evening of Dec. 16 in D3football.com's pregame coverage for Stagg Bowl XLIV.
Scott's All-Region honor adds to a growing list of accolades the senior has received over the past two seasons. Scott earned the first All-MIAA First Team recognition of his career this season to follow up on an All-MIAA Second Team campaign in 2015. He is one of 54 NCAA Division III seniors selected to travel to Mexico to compete in the eighth annual Tazón De Estrellas, set for Saturday, Dec. 17.
A key cog in Trine's offensive line the past two seasons, Scott helped lead the Thunder to a school record 243.2 rushing yards per game this season. Scott's work also helped Trine produce 215 yards per game on the ground in 2015. He was a part of a Trine offensive line that helped the Thunder set individual-game rushing records each of the last two seasons.
Winters picked up his first All-Region honor after ranking among the nation's best defenders in the secondary. The sophomore ranked second in the nation in INTs with eight picks during the regular season, which tied a school record. He also ranked third in the country with 19 passes defended. The All-MIAA First Team corner is among the nominees for the 2016 Cliff Harris Award, which is presented to the nation's best small-college defensive player from NCAA Division II, III and NAIA.
In just two seasons, Winters has vaulted up the ranks of Trine's record books. He is already tied for third in team history with 12 career interceptions. His 28 passes defended rank fifth, while his 86 interception-return yards rank seventh in program history. He also earned All-MIAA Second Team honors last year as a freshman.
The D3football.com All-North Region teams were selected in balloting by North Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff. They were chosen from 211 nominations by Division III member schools. A total of 76 players were chosen.
Click Here for D3football.com All-North Region Teams.
Trine concluded the season 6-4 overall and finished fourth in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with a 3-3 conference record. Seven members of the Thunder football team earned postseason honors from the MIAA.