Five members of the University of Missouri-Rolla football team have been named to a pre-season all-independent team for NCAA Division II by D2Football.com.
One of the five, senior wide receiver Ashton Gronewold, was a pre-season All-America selection as announced by the website that covers football at the Division II level. Gronewold, who holds or shares 19 school records at UMR, was named to the first team at both wide receiver and as a kick returner.
He had a school record 78 receptions for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns last season and scored two more touchdowns on returns. His 1,788 all-purpose yards also set a single-season record.
Also named to the first team was junior free safety Brian Jordan, who finished the 2006 season tied for the team lead with three interceptions to go along with his 61 tackles.
Three others were named to the second team -- wide receiver Mike Greaving, linebacker Justin Butler and placekicker Tim Valencia.
Greaving caught 50 passes for 789 yards and five touchdowns last season, while Butler is the Miners' leading returning tackler with 73 stops a year ago. Valencia connected on 42 of his 44 extra points attempts and also made eight of his 11 field goal tries.
The Miners open their 2007 season Saturday night against Truman State at Allgood-Bailey Stadium. Game time is at 6:30 p.m.
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