July 23, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University junior punter Michael Koenen (Ferndale) has been named to the Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA Division II Preseason All-America team.

Koenen was a first-team Daktronics, D2Football.com and Football Gazette All-America selection last season and a second-team Associated Press Little All-America pick, leading the NCAA II nationally in punting. He averaged 44.9 yards a punt, including a school-record 73-yarder, and put 16 attempts inside the 20-yard line.

Koenen also holds school records for longest field goal (54 yards), consecutive successful field goals (8), and consecutive extra point makes (40).

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Koenen also was 9-of-17 on field goals, missing just one from inside 40 yards, and hit 34-of-35 extra points. He also had 19 kickoffs for touchbacks.

Koenen was one of five Great Northwest Athletic Conference players named to the Football Gazette team. Central Washington had three selections - senior quarterback Zak Hill, junior wide receiver Brian Potucek and junior offensive lineman Evan Picton - and Western Oregon one, junior place kicker Andrew Keippela. Western plays both teams twice this season, including an Oct. 4 contest with Central Washington at Seahawks Stadium in Seattle.

Two seniors from Saint Cloud State, the Vikings' season-opening opponent Sept. 4 at Bellingham's Civic Stadium, were on the squad. They are quarterback Keith Heckendorf, who finished third in the Harlon Hill Trophy for DII player of the year balloting last season, and linebacker Shane Rohman.

Western returns 37 letter winners and 13 starters from last season's 6-4 team.