HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – Senior Keysean Amison has been named the 2022 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Defensive Most Valuable Player, the association announced today. Seven other members of the Trine University football team join Amison on All-MIAA first and second team.
Amison was a menacing presence in the secondary for the Thunder throughout the season. During the MIAA portion of the season, he led conference competitors with 32 solo tackles, 38 assists, 70 total tackles and 11.7 tackles per game. Over the entire season he led those same categories among MIAA competitors and on the team with 53 solo tackles, 45 assists, 98 total tackles and 9.8 tackles per game. He also recorded a pair of forced fumbles to tie for most in the conference.
Amison earned MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week for his performance against Hope College. During that game he turned in 19 tackles, a career single game high, while the team as a whole finished with 86. It is tied for the third highest single game total in the program's NCAA Division III history and tied for fifth overall.
Five other members of the team joined Amison as first team All-MIAA selections. Seniors Kale Lawson and Jackson Linback were named as offensive selections, senior Kyle Naif and junior Jamon Gibson joined Amison on defense and senior Jake Gladieux was named as a return specialist.
Lawson made the most of his fourth year, posting a career defining season as a wide receiver. He finished with 728 yards on 45 receptions, finishing top-ten among MIAA receivers in both categories. His 16.2 yards per catch was third best among those same receivers and his 72.8 yards per game was fourth. He surpassed 1,000 career reception yards during the season ending with 1,141 good enough for eighth in the program's NCAA Division III history.
Linback improves to a first team selection this season after being named to second team a year ago. He does so after anchoring the offensive line for the Thunder.
Naif makes his third straight appearance on the All-MIAA first team, despite having his season shortened by injury. He finished the conference portion of the season 19th among MIAA competitors with 34 total tackles including a fifth most 23 assists. He was also top 20 with 5.7 tackles per game and 1.5 sacks.
Gibson proved himself a preeminent pass rusher during this season. He led the MIAA with 10.5 sacks for a loss of 69 yards during the season. Six of those sacks came during MIAA play, another conference topping stat. He also recorded 50 total tackles during the season, 19th in the MIAA.
Gladieux finished the season as the MIAA's most dangerous returner. He recorded the longest kickoff return, 65 yards, among MIAA opponents and led the way in the conference with 25.8 yards per return.
Senior Angel Sanchez and junior Jacob Jackson were named to the All-MIAA second team defense to round out awards for the Thunder.
Sanchez was a solid presence on the outside throughout the season for the Thunder. He finished the season 14th in the MIAA in pass breakups while also recording 40 tackles which was 32nd in the conference.
Jackson anchored the middle of the defensive front for the team. He finished seventh in the MIAA with five sacks for 29 yards lost. He also recorded 47 tackles which was 22nd in the conference.
Trine finished the season 7-3 overall and 3-3 in MIAA play good enough for a tie for third among opponents.
