AK
Anthony Koepnick
  • Finance
  • Class of 2017
  • Sussex, WI

UW-Whitewater's Koepnick Named All-America by D3football.com

2015 Dec 21

Tony Koepnick, a native of Sussex, WI, and member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team, was one of five Warhawks who garnered All-America accolades from D3football.com, the Web site announced Friday, Dec. 18.

Senior defensive back Ryan Winske (Omro, Wis./Omro) earned first team honors, while senior linebacker Justin Dischler (Milwaukee, Wis./Pius XI) was tabbed second team for the second consecutive season.

Senior running back Jordan Ratliffe (Milwaukee, Wis./Vincent), junior offensive linemen Tony Koepnick (Sussex, Wis./Hamilton) and Spencer Shier (Pardeeville, Wis./Portage) were selected to the third team.

In addition, Dischler was named a second team All-American by the Associated Press, which selects players from NCAA Divisions II and III and the NAIA. He was also tabbed an All-American by the American Football Coaches Association earlier this week.

All five players helped the Warhawks finish the 2015 season with a 12-2 record, including a 6-1 mark in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. UW-Whitewater reached the NCAA Division III Playoffs semifinals for the 10th time in the last 11 years.

Winske, a captain and one of the leaders on defense, ranked third on the team with 79 tackles, including three for a loss, and tied for the league lead with five interceptions. He returned two picks for touchdowns, including a 70-yarder against UW-Stout and a 19-yarder in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs against St. Norbert.

A first team All-WIAC selection, Winske also defended 10 passes, good for second on the team.

Dischler finished second on the team with 82 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss and 2.0 sacks. He added three interceptions, five passes defended and a forced fumble. After being named a first team Preseason All-American by both D3football.com and Lindy's Sports, Dischler garnered first team all-conference and all-region accolades for the second straight season.

Ratliffe ranks seventh in NCAA Division III in rushing yards with 1,714, the sixth-most in one season in program history. He is also seventh in the nation with 23 touchdowns, the fifth-most in one season in school history. Ratliffe averaged 6.0 yards per carry and 122.4 yards per contest.

Koepnick and Shier helped the Warhawks maintain a balanced, potent offensive attack. The team averaged 222.9 rushing yards and 211.0 passing yards per game and scored 38.1 points per contest, good for second in the conference and 31st in the nation.

Earlier this month, Dischler and Winske were first team All-West Region picks by D3football.com, while Ratliffe, Koepnick and Shier were named to the second team. All five were first team All-WIAC honorees.

Koepnick is majoring in Finance.