Tristan Murray

Andy Vanover

Will Block

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Record-breaking Wittenberg University football standout Tristan Murray, class of 2006 from New Carlisle, Ohio, and teammates Andy Vanover, class of 2008 from Tipp City, Ohio, and Will Block, class of 2007 from Troy, Ohio, have been recognized for the combination of their athletic and academic accomplishments with CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-District IV honors.

Murray was named to the first team for a second straight year. In his third year as the Tigers' starting tailback, Murray has rushed for more than 100 yards in a school-record eight straight games. Ranked second in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and sixth in NCAA Division III in rushing yards per game, Murray moved into second place on Wittenberg's career rushing and career scoring lists with 199 yards and four touchdowns against Allegheny on Nov. 4. Murray, who has 15 touchdowns this season, ranks 10th in the nation in scoring as well.

The 2004 NCAC Newcomer of the Year, Murray finished third in the NCAC in rushing and scoring that year, and he followed that with conference-leading averages of 126.6 rushing yards, 165.1 all-purpose yards and 10.0 points per game in 2005. Murray has 3,815 rushing yards and 312 points since transferring to Wittenberg from Brown University in December 2003. In his career, Murray has posted three of the top 10 rushing and scoring seasons, two of the top 10 single-game rushing performances and two of the top 10 rushing plays from scrimmage in school history, including a game-breaking 83-yard touchdown sprint against Alma College on Sept. 24.

Murray, who graduated from Wittenberg in May 2006 with a degree in management but continues to take classes, carries a grade point average of 3.6.

Vanover earned second-team honors for the first time in his career. The model of consistency in two years as a starter in the backfield with Murray, Vanover accumulated matching 154-yard totals in rushing and receiving a year ago. This year, Vanover has had 50 touches without losing a yard from scrimmage. In 35 rushing attempts and 15 receptions, Vanover has a combined total of 447 yards and four touchdowns.

Now in his second year as a defensive starter after starting his Wittenberg career as a running back and kick returner in 2004, Block ranks fourth on the team with 51 total tackles. He also has two passes broken up and a team-best two forced fumbles on the season. The academic award was also a first for Block, who was also named to the second team.

Murray will now be considered for Academic All-America honors in voting that takes place later this month.

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