By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- A total of seven Willamette University student-athletes have been named to the 2023 NCAA Division III Academic All-District Football Team, as voted by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). Willamette's Academic All-District selections were Seth Beach (Sr., QB, Kailua-Kona, HI/Hawaii Preparatory Academy), Michael Valtierra (Sr., DL, Culver City, CA/Brentwood HS/Occidental College), Camdin Dirnberger (Jr., PK, Missoula, MT/Sentinel HS), Hogan Smith (Jr., DB, Prineville, OR/Crook County HS), Landon Waters (Jr., CB, Martinez, CA/Alhambra HS), Orion Woods (Jr., LB, Morgan Hill, CA/Ann Sobrato HS/Foothill College), Judah Ali'ifua (So., DB, Salem, OR/West Salem HS).
Beach, Valtierra, and Dirnberger were named Academic All-District for the second consecutive season.
A panel of CSC members will determine which Academic All-District honorees are eligible to receive votes for the NCAA Division III Academic All-America Football Team. After members of the CSC vote, the Academic All-America Team will be released on Tuesday, Jan. 23. 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. They played in 90% of their team's games or started at least 66% of the games. Each nominated student-athlete was at least a sophomore in academic and athletic standing.
Willamette earned 110 first downs in 2023. The Bearcats averaged 11.6 yards per pass completion, including the team's longest play of the season on a 64-yard touchdown pass. The longest running play for Willamette covered 56 yards. On defense, WU recorded 50 tackles for losses of 226 yards, with 24 quarterback sacks for 170 yards in losses. The Bearcats earned four interceptions and 18 pass break-ups, while recovering 10 fumbles.
NCAA Division III Academic All-District
Seth Beach (Sr., QB) saw action in 27 games during his career. He provided depth at the quarterback position and was the team's holder in 2022 and 2023. At quarterback, he completed 63.3% of his passes (19 of 30) for 198 yards and one touchdown.
In 2022, he entered the last game of the season in the third quarter and completed 11 of 16 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown. He nearly 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. Beach is majoring in Exercise and Health Science with a minor in Chemistry and a 3.63 cumulative GPA.
Michael Valtierra (Sr., DL) was named Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference this season. He earned 40 total tackles with 14 unassisted stops, while tying for second on the team with 26 assisted tackles. He tied for the team lead with 4.0 quarterback sacks leading a team-high 37 yards lost. He was second on the Willamette defense with 5.0 tackles for loss. Valtierra also forced two fumbles.
In three years at WU, Valtierra earned 72 total tackles on 35 unassisted tackles and 37 assists. He registered 5.5 quarterback sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss. He recovered a fumble in 2021 and blocked a kick in 2022. Valtierra is majoring in History with a minor in Chemistry. He has earned a 3.64 cumulative GPA.
Camdin Dirnberger (Jr., PK) played in all 10 games in 2023, giving him 29 appearances in his career. This fall, he was 2 of 2 on field goals with a long of 30 yards. He converted 14 of 16 extra points.
At Willamette, Dirnberger is 7 for 9 on career field goals. The longest field goal of his career was 43 yards against Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 15, 2022. He has connected on 51 of 56 extra points (91.1%) and has scored 72 points. Dirnberger is majoring in Data Science while participating in Willamette's 3+1 BS/MS in Data Science program.
Hogan Smith (Jr., DB, Prineville, OR/Crook County HS) concluded the 2023 season by receiving Honorable Mention All-NWC recognition. During the year, he played in seven games, all starts, and provided the Bearcats with 44 total tackles to rank fourth on the team. He missed three games due to an injury. He was credited with 16 solo tackles and 28 assists, while earning one tackle for loss. He also broke up one pass.
Smith's career totals include 118 total tackles with 64 solo stops and 54 assists in 26 games. He has made 2.5 tackles for loss to go with one interception and three pass break-ups. He owns a 3.65 cumulative GPA and is majoring in Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics while working on a minor in Chinese Studies.
Landon Waters (Jr., CB, Martinez, CA/Alhambra HS) was chosen Honorable Mention All-NWC this season after excelling in the defensive secondary. He registered 22 total tackles, including 19 solo tackles. He intercepted two passes in a 24-21 win over the University of La Verne in the season opener. He returned one of the interceptions 30 yards for a touchdown against the Leopards. He played in eight games, but missed two games due to injury.
In his career, Waters has accumulated 69 total tackles with 45 unassisted stops and 24 assists. He has provided WU with six pass break-ups and one blocked kick. Waters is majoring in Data Science and Economics.
Orion Woods (Jr., LB) played in 10 games for the Bearcats in 2023 after transferring from Foothill College in California. This season, he earned 40 total tackles, as he amassed 21 unassisted tackles and 19 assists. He was credited with one quarterback sack and three tackles for loss. He also broke up one pass for the Bearcats.
Woods arrived at Willamette with a 3.56 cumulative GPA. He is majoring in Civic Communication and Media.
Judah Ali'ifua (So., DB) accumulated 36 total tackles this season while playing in all 10 games. He made 22 unassisted tackles and claimed 14 assists. He forced one fumble, broke up a pass, and blocked a kick.
In two years with the Bearcats, Ali'ifua has contributed 55 total tackles with 29 solo tackles and 26 assists. He has registered one-half tackle for loss and has provided one fumble recovery. He is majoring in Business Administration with a 3.63 cumulative GPA.
