By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Eight members of the Willamette University football team have been to the 2022 NCAA Division III Academic All-District Football Team, as voted by the College Sports Communicators (CSC, formerly CoSIDA). Willamette's Academic All-District honorees were Seth Beach (Sr., QB, Kailua-Kona, HI/Hawaii Preparatory Academy), Christopher Brown (Sr., LB, Ketchikan, AK/Ketchikan HS), Camdin Dirnberger (So., PK, Missoula, MT/Sentinel HS), Dylan Hall (Jr., LB, Erie, CO/Peak to Peak Charter School), Aidan Kuykendall (Sr., QB, San Pedro, CA/Palos Verdes Peninsula HS/L.A. Harbor College), Luke Lowe (Sr., DB, Fresno, CA/Clovis West HS), Michael Valtierra (Jr., DL, Culver City, CA/Brentwood HS), and Thomas Wirth (Sr., RB, Basalt, CO/Basalt HS).
All of the Academic All-District honorees are eligible to be voted onto the College Sports Communicators NCAA Division III Academic All-America Team. Players nominated for the CSC All-District Team were starters or key reserves with cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Each nominated student-athlete was at their current college or university for at least one academic year.
Willamette finished the 2022 season with a 2-8 overall record. The Bearcats averaged 150.4 passing yards and 101.1 rushing yards per game while earning 145 first downs. On defense, Willamette registered 46 tackles for losses for 200 yards, including 13 quarterback sacks. The Bearcats recovered six fumbles and blocked six kicks.
NCAA Division III Academic All-District
Seth Beach (Sr., QB) played in all 10 games, primarily as the holder on extra points and field goals. He entered the last game of the season at quarterback in the third quarter with the starter injured. He completed 11 of 16 passes during the game for 116 yards and one touchdown. He early led a comeback from a 20-13 halftime deficit against the University of Puget Sound, but Willamette fell just short in a 26-20 loss. During his career, Beach played in 22 games. He is majoring in Exercise and Health Science with a 3.59 cumulative GPA.
Christopher Brown (Sr., LB) started all 10 games this year and earned 41 total tackles for the second year in a row. This season, he registered 25 solo tackles and 16 assists, with 1.5 tackles for loss in addition to one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. During the 2021 season, he earned 17 solo tackles and 24 assists, with 0.5 quarterback sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss, plus one forced fumble and one pass break-up. Brown's career totals in 26 games played include 88 total tackles, with 45 solo stops, 0.5 quarterback sacks, and 3.0 tackles for loss. He is majoring in Economics with a minor in Art History and has earned a 3.81 cumulative GPA.
Camdin Dirnberger (So., PK) was Willamette's starting place-kicker for the second year in a row. He made 5 of 6 field goals and converted 16 of 16 extra points, as he scored 31 points this season. His longest successful field goal covered 43 yards. In 2021, he was 21 of 24 on extra points. He has played in 19 games during his career with Bearcats, and has connected on 37 of 40 extra points and 5 of 7 field goals for 52 career points. Dirnberger has earned a 3.69 cumulative GPA. He is working toward a double major in Data Science and Computer Science.
Dylan Hall (Jr., LB) started for the Bearcats in all 10 games this season. He ranked third on the team with 44 total tackles, including 30 solo stops. He recorded 2.0 quarterback sacks for 14 yards in losses and 2.5 tackles for loss. In 2021, he played in all 10 games and was credited with 63 total tackles, including 29 unassisted tackles. His career statistics in 20 games include 59 solo tackles, 48 assists, and 107 total stops. He has registered 3.0 quarterback sacks (24 yards) and 7.5 tackles for loss (37 yards). Hall has achieved a 3.59 cumulative GPA and is majoring in Civic Communication and Media.
Aidan Kuykendall (Grad., QB) battled injuries but played in eight games this season and completed 74 of 135 passes (54.8%) for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns. Passed for a career-high 285 yards at Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 15, 2022. He threw for 10 touchdown passes in 2021, when he completed 116 of 223 attempts for 1,092 yards. During his three seasons at WU, he passed for 2,612 yards and 24 touchdowns in 23 games played. On the ground, he rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns on 78 carries in 2022 and gained 308 career yards (4 TDs) on 150 career carries. Kuykendall is in his first year at WU's Atkinson Graduate School of Management. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at Willamette and owns a 3.62 cumulative GPA.
Luke Lowe (Sr., DB) was named Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference this season. He competed as a starter in all 10 games and contributed 31 total tackles, including 24 solo tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss. He also forced one fumble and broke up two passes. Lowe played in all 20 games during the past two years. He has accumulated 64 total tackles, including 40 solo tackles, during his career. In addition, he has provided eight career pass break-ups. He earned six pass break-ups in 2021. Lowe is majoring in Economics and is participating in Willamette's 3+2 BA/MBA program. He has a 3.50 cumulative GPA.
Michael Valtierra (Sr., DL) played in every game in 2021 and 2022 for a total of 20 games. In 2022, he registered 15 total tackles, with 1.0 quarterback sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. His career statistics include 32 total tackles, 21 solo tackles, 1.5 quarterback sacks, and 3.0 tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble in 2021 and blocked a kick in 2022. Valtierra is majoring in History at Willamette and has achieved a 3.56 cumulative GPA.
Thomas Wirth (Sr., FB) completed his Willamette career with a total of 27 games played. He saw action in all 10 games in 2022 and in eight games during 2021. This year, he provided significant blocking that helped the Bearcats average 101.1 rushing yards and 150.04 passing yards per game. He also caught three passes for 32 yards during the season, including a 28-yard touchdown catch. Wirth has recorded a 3.51 cumulative GPA while majoring in Exercise and Health Science.
