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 Justin Pryer (pictured) and Michael Banks were named Honorable Mention All-Americans after each were consensus first team All-SoCon selections in 2001. |
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Jan. 17, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. - Receiver Michael Banks and free safety Justin Fryer - both of whom just completed their junior seasons on the Western Carolina football team - have been named Honorable Mention All-Americans by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette.
Banks (Spotsylvania, Va./Spotsylvania HS) was a first team All-Southern Conference selection this past season by both the coaches and media. He ranked second in the league in receiving yards (63.4) and third in receptions per game (4.0), while leading the Catamounts in both categories for the third consecutive season. He was tabbed SoCon Offensive Player of the Week after grabbing a season-high seven passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Cats to their first win over Wofford since the Terriers joined the league in 1997. With one season to go, he ranks ninth on the school's all-time receiving yards list (2,145), seventh on the all-time receptions list (140) and fifth on the all-time touchdown reception list (16).
Fryer (Connelly Springs, N.C./East Burke HS) was also a consensus first team All-Southern Conference selection in 2001. He ranked third (tied) in the league with his 10.5 tackles per game average and led Western with 116 total hits, which ranks 10th (tied) on the school's single-season list. Fryer was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week in the season opener after tallying seven tackles with a fumble recovery and a game-clinching interception versus Mars Hill. He led WCU's defense, which ranked third in the nation in pass defense and surrendered a I-AA low five touchdown passes this season. Fryer finished the year with two interceptions, four pass breakups, one caused fumble and one fumble recovery.
The national honor is the first for a Western Carolina player since 1998 when Ken Hinsley was tabbed first team by the same publication, along with second team selections Eric Johnson and Brad Hoover. A complete 2001 All-American team listing can be found at www.donhansen.com.
