KANSAS CITY—Three Olivet Nazarene University football players were named as College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District selections as the organization announced their selections on Thursday. Defensive linemen Grant Manke, linebacker Jason Freeman, and defensive back Patryk Ryczek all gathered CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. 

Manke, a sophomore from Brownsville, Wis., had a breakout season for the Tigers in the classroom and on the field.  An exercise science major, Manke played and started in all 10 games this season and totaled 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles-a-loss, and a sack.  This is Manke's first Academic All-District honor.

Freeman, a native of Zion, Ill., had an outstanding season for the Tigers.  A marketing major, Freeman played in all 10 games for the Tigers and led the nation with 160 total tackles and 16 tackles-a-game.  Freeman also had three interceptions, 15 tackles-for-loss, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble.  This is Freeman's first Academic All-District honor. 

Ryczek, a native of Inverness, Ill., had a standout season for the Tigers in the defensive backfield.  A Business Administration student, notched 31 total tackles, marked 17 pass breakups, and picked off quarterbacks five times.  This is his third Academic All-District honor and he is chasing his third CoSIDA Academic All-America award. 

The CoSIDA Academic All-America announcement will come on Friday, December 17th at 11 a.m. CST. 

--ONU—

*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu