LEESBURG, Va. --- Tusculum College's Skylar West and Deonte Gist have been named to the 2011 Beyond Sports Network Division II All-America Football Team announced officials Friday.
West was named the All-America Second Team long-snapper, while Gist garnered honorable mention recognition as a return specialist.
West, a 6-5, 220-pound junior from Oneida, Tenn., becomes the first long-snapper in Tusculum history to earn All-America recognition. In November, he became only the second TC long-snapper to garner All-South Atlantic First Team honors three times, joining three-time All-Conference standout Robby Kelly, who achieved the feat in 2005, 2006 & 2007.
Gist, a 5-9, 175-pound senior from Wellford, S.C., earns his
second All-America accolade as a return specialist this season,
after being named to the Daktronics Division II Second Team. He
shined on Tusculum's special teams, where he led the SAC in kickoff
return average at 29.43 yards per return, which is seventh in the
country. Of his 21 returns, two were for touchdowns, including a
94-yarder against Brevard earlier this season. He also returned a
92-yarder at Newberry, for his school-record fourth career kickoff
return for touchdown.
Gist led the league in receptions for a second straight year,
averaging 8.1 catches per contest, which are second in the nation
(NCAA II). The 2010 consensus All-America receiver capped his
outstanding career with 81 receptions for 900 yards and four
touchdowns this season. His 81 catches are tied for the fourth
most in school history, while his 900 yards are eighth-best in TC
history and 31st in the country. His 90 receiving yards per game
average is also 24th in DII.
Gist ends his Tusculum career as the program's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (4,374) and kickoff returns yards (1,593). His 2,540 career receiving yards are second in TC history, while his 12 career games with 100 receiving yards are a Tusculum-best. He also posted 20 outings with 100 all-purpose yards, including eight straight games in 2011. His 1,642 all-purpose yards in 2011 are the third-most in school history, while his 164.2 yards per game average is second in the league and 12th in the country.
Gist and teammate Rashaad Carter established a NCAA II record this year for the most career receptions by two players from the same team. Carter (210) and Gist (207) combined for 417 catches between them from 2008-2011. The TC duo was the top two receivers for a Tusculum offense that averaged 311 passing yards per game (7th in NCAA II).
Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference, which is comprised of 10 colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.
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