UMD guard Heikkinen named top Div. II lineman

December 18, 2012 at 10:35AM

Minnesota Duluth guard Garth Heikkinen was named the 2012 recipient of the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year of Award. The Upshaw Award has been presented annually since 2004 to the top NCAA Division II junior or senior lineman in the nation.

"I'm honored and humbled to be chosen for the Gene Upshaw Award", said Heikkinen, a native of Duluth and a 2008 graduate of Duluth Central High School. "I can't begin to express how thankful I am for my teammates, coaches, and everyone else who has helped me get to where I am today. This award never would have come my way without them. "

Heikkinen, who has been selected to four different All-America teams this fall -- Associated Press Little All-American (first team), American Football Coaches Association (first team), Daktronics (first team) and Beyond Sports College Network (second team), started in a Bulldogs-record 54 consecutive games over the past four seasons.

NEWS SERVICES

about the writer

about the writer

More from Gophers

card image

Dawson Garcia had 19 points and a season-high 14 rebounds and Brennan Rigsby contributed 14 points off the bench to the 69-61 comeback victory.

card image