RELEASE DATE: 11/14/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Keith Slezak Named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II First Team Honors – Senior Advances To Academic All-American Ballot

MANSFIELD – Mansfield University defensive end Keith Slezak has been selected to ESPN The Magazine All-District II First Team honors in voting conducted among sports information directors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

Slezak’s First Team selection allows him to advance to the national ballot for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors.

To qualify for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America program, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore with a 3.20 GPA and be a starter or significant reserve. Only first-team All-District selections advance to the national Academic All-America ballot.

Slezak served as a captain this season for the Mountaineers, finishing third on the team in tackles with 72 including 39 solo. In addition he recorded five tackles for a loss with 1.5 sacks, an interception and four pass breakups.

Recently named to All-PSAC East Second Team honors for the second straight season, Slezak also earned PSAC East Defensive Player of the Week honors earlier in the season.

Slezak has started every game over the past three seasons at defensive end where he recorded 171 tackles including 85 solo, 21.5 for a loss and 6.0 sacks.

Slezak is majoring in elementary education at Mansfield.

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