This latest gift didn't find its way under the Christmas tree, but it wasn't from Santa, either.
Aurora University senior defensive back Mike Langhurst received his present from the American Football Coaches Association, which chose the Merrillville grad as a 2010 NCAA Division III All-American for the major role he played in the Spartans' 7-3 season.
In his final collegiate campaign, Langhurst led all D-III defenders with 13 pass breakups and also made a school-record 10 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He finished the season with 30 tackles, the 11th-best total among Aurora players.
St. Xavier University senior defensive back Drew Rogowski (Griffith) was feted for his academic work as he was one of four Cougars football players selected as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete for the fall season. To be eligible, a student-athlete had to carry a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and have reached his or her junior year in school.
On the field, Rogowski paced SXU with four forced fumbles and was one of three Cougars to intercept a team-best three passes. His seven pass breakups put Rogowski in a second-place tie among SXU defenders, and his 37 tackles ranked ninth. The Cougars won 13 games and reached the NAIA semifinals for the second consecutive year.
Swimming
South Dakota State freshman swimmer Chris Schreier (Portage) was named the Summit League's Male Athlete of the Month for December after winning five individual races and being a member of two triumphant Jackrabbits relay units. He set school records in four of his victories, including in both the 100- and 200-yard butterflies (50.96 and 1:51.96, respectively).
Schreier is unbeaten thus far in dual meets while swimming in those two events, as well as the 200 freestyle.
Men's basketball
While E.C. Central grad E'Twaun Moore was being tabbed as the Big Ten's co-Player of the Week after averaging 26 points and eight rebounds over two games, another region product received recognition from the conference.
Junior Zack Novak (Chesterton) was profiled under the "Faces of the Big Ten" banner when the conference provided its latest press release to the media. Novak, who became the first sophomore captain in Michigan basketball history a year ago, is among the league's top rebounders despite standing just 6-foot-4. He is enrolled in the prestigious Steven M. Ross School of Business at Michigan.
Demond Watt (T.F. North) registered his sixth double-double in 14 games after totaling 10 points and 11 rebounds for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the Islanders' 70-55 loss to Texas Tech on Sunday. Watt leads the team in points (15.2) and rebounds (9.7) per contest while shooting 60 percent from the field. He's also been credited with 27 assists, 18 blocks and 16 steals to date.
Horace Bond (West Side) and Jawan Nelson (Bloom Twp.) added eight and six points, respectively, versus the Red Raiders.
Women's basketball
Britney Curry (Merrillville) recorded her second double-double of the season during Rockford College's 59-38 victory over Ashford. Curry totaled 18 points and 10 rebounds, and boasts respective per-game averages of 16.5 points and 6.0 rebounds over 11 contests.
Lizzie Stapke (Highland) supplied 12 points, four rebounds and three steals, and Emily Strilich (Boone Grove) chipped in seven points and five boards as Indiana South Bend defeated Indiana Northwest 65-52 on Monday. The win improved the Titans' record to 10-3.
The Times welcomes information about local athletes for inclusion in Region Collegians. E-mail Ken Karrson at kenneth.karrson@nwi.com or fax to (219) 933-3249. Karrson can be reached at (219) 933-3232.
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