Nov. 16, 2001
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina senior defensive end Pablo Abraham and sophomore offensive lineman Jason Whaley has been named to the 2001 Verizon University Division Academic All-District III football team, which includes schools from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The duo, along with all the Academic All-District selections, will be considered for the Academic All-America team, which will be released Dec. 13.
Abraham (Lincolnton, N.C.) has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.45 in sports management with a minor in marketing. He was a 2001 preseason All-Southern Conference selection by the league's coaches and was a captain for the Catamounts this season. Abraham has helped the defense rank sixth in the nation in pass defense and 23rd in total defense. He had a career-high seven tackles versus Furman this season. The two-year starter has 77 tackles to date in his career, with eight tackles for losses and 19 quarterback pressures.
Whaley (Beulaville, N.C.) carries a 3.85 cumulative GPA in computer information systems. He has been Western's most versatile lineman. He started the season at right guard before moving to left tackle due to injuries to the regular tackles. He has also played some at left guard this season. His blocking has helped WCU tailback Fred Boateng earn SoCon Player of the Week at East Tennessee for his 186-yard effort and rush for over 140 yards in each of the last three contests. Thanks to Western's strong rushing attack, which ranks 27th nationally, the Cats lead the conference in time of possession, first downs and fourth down conversions, while ranking second in third down conversions.
To be eligible for the All-Academic team a player must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 in the classroom and be either a starter or key reserve on the field.
Western Carolina will conclude the 2001 regular season with a rescheduled home game with The Citadel on Saturday (Nov. 17). The game was originally scheduled to be played Nov. 15, but was postponed due to the recent national tragedy. Kickoff for Saturday's contest, which will also be Senior Day, is set for 2:00 p.m., at E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field.
2001 VERIZON UNIVERSITY DIVISION ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT III FOOTBALL TEAM Quarterback: Brock Berlin - Florida - Sophomore - Sociology - Shreveport, La. Tight End: *Trent Sansbury - Furman - Senior -Computer/Business Adm. - Lilburn, Ga. Running Back: *Ben Foster - Wofford - Senior - Biology - Kennesaw, Ga. J.R. McNair - Wofford - Sophomore - undeclared - Jonesboro, Ga. Wide Receivers: Andre Davis - Virginia Tech - Senior - Res. Property Management - Niskayuna, N.Y. Bryce Lee - William & Mary - Senior - Business Administration - Virginia Beach, Va. Offensive Line: **Eric Nash - Wofford - Senior - Physics - Sharpsburg, Ga. Mike Pearson - Florida - Junior - Business Administration - Seffner, Fla. *Jon Stinchcomb - Georgia - Junior - Microbiology - Lilburn, Ga. Jason Whaley - Western Carolina - Soph.- Computer Info. Systems - Beulaville, N.C. **Kyle Young - Clemson - Graduate Student- Secondary Ed. - Clemson, S.C. Defensive Line: Pablo Abraham - Western Carolina - Senior - Sports Management - Lincolnton, N.C. Blake Bergeron - Davidson - Junior - Psychology - Nashville, Tenn. *Steve DeBeer - Furman - Senior - Biochemistry - Atlanta, Ga. Ian Scott - Florida - Sophomore - Industrial and Systems Engineering - Gainesville, Fla. Linebackers: **Chad Carson - Clemson - Senior - Biological Sciences - Newman, Ga. *Chase Corn - Wofford - Senior - Marketing Education - Salem, Va. Travis Stephens - The Citadel - Business Administration - Greer, S.C. Defensive Back: **Chris Hope - Florida State - Senior - Communications/Sociology - Rock Hill, S.C. *Rodney Johnson - Furman - Junior - Health & Exercise Science - Marion, N.C. Ricot Joseph - Central Florida - Senior - Physical Ed./Criminal Justice - Lake Worth, Fla. Marquand Manuel - Florida - Graduate Student - Criminology - Opalocka, Fla. Kicker: Brent Kirouac - Georgia - Junior - Finance/Religion - Duluth, Ga. Punter: **Dan Dyke - Georgia Tech - Senior - Electrical Engineering - Winter Springs, Fla.
* Two-time Verizon Academic All-District III selection ** Three-time Verizon Academic All-District selection
