Tuesday, March 23, 2021

PORTLAND, Ore. – Part of a robust offensive line that protected one of the top offenses in Division II in 2019, Central Washington senior Will Ortner headlines the 34 selections to the 2020-21 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Football All-Academic Team, presented by Barnes & Noble College.

One of three three-time selections to the team, Ortner owns a 3.68 cumulative GPA as a digital journalism and sport management major. As part of the Wildcats co-GNAC championship team in 2019, Ortner helped anchor an offensive line that allowed the Wildcats to finish 10th in Division II in scoring average and 15th in passing yards per game.

Central Washington led the conference with 18 All-Academic Team selections.

Joining Ortner as three-time All-Academic selections are Simon Fraser senior Dallas Dixon, who has a 3.65 GPA as a kinesiology major, and Western Oregon senior Jakob Pruitt, who has a 3.36 GPA as a criminal justice major. The list of 34 honorees includes 12 repeat selections.

Ortner and Dixon are also among seven honorees to compile a 3.60 cumulative GPA or higher.

To qualify for the GNAC All-Academic Teams, presented by Barnes & Noble College, nominees must be of sophomore eligibility or greater, have a minimum cumulative GPA or 3.20 or greater, be a letterwinner on their team and must be in their second year at the nominating institution.