WINONA, Minn. - Eight members of the Winona State University football program earned spots on the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team announced on Tuesday, Dec. 19. 

Four players from the defensive side of the ball were named to the prestigious list; Clay Schueffner, Kyjuan Vengrowsky, Trey Borske and Nathaniel Wilcher.  From the Warrior offense and special teams, Noah Pappas, Jacob Leszczynski, Sylvere Campbell and Jake Van Hulzen were tabbed to the CSC All-District teams. 

The 2023 Academic All-District football teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-American program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. 

Clay Schueffner, a linebacker from St. Cloud, Wis. concluded with WSU career with three NSIC All-Conference First Team defensive awards and multiple All-American accolades. The 6'1", 230 lbs. St. Mary Springs Academy product racked up 361 tackles and seven interceptions for Winona State.  

Noah Pappas, an offensive lineman from Plymouth, Minn., earned a spot on the 2023 NSIC All-Conference Second Team on offense this past fall. Pappas appeared in 23 contests for Winona State over the past two seasons. The 6-6 Pappas also earned the WSU Presidential Scholar award and served on the Winona State Football Leadership Council. 

Kyjuan Vengrowsky, a red-shirt sophomore from De Pere, Wis., was a 2023 NSIC All-Conference Second Team selection as a defensive lineman following the fall season. The 6'2" De Pere West product owns nine career sacks, good for 52 TFL yards over his career.  Vengrowsky is also a two-time WSU Presidential Scholar for the Warriors. 

Jacob Leszczynski a senior from Muskego, Wis. joins Pappas as one of two Warrior offensive lineman to earn mention on the 2023 CSC All-District Teams. the 6'4" Leszczynski has earned Winona State University Presidential Scholar status and serves as the Treasurer of Dean's Advisory Board. 

Kyle Borske, a junior from Naperville, Ill., joins Schueffner as one of two Warrior linebackers on the 2023 CSC All-District Teams. Borske has appeared in 20 contests over the past two years for WSU, accounting for 65 total tackles during that time frame. The 6'1" Neuqua Valley High School product also had two sacks in the 2023 campaign. 

Nathaniel Wilcher, a red-shirt sophomore from Mukwonago, Wis., is a defensive lineman who has appeared in 33 contests over his Warrior career. Wilcher has racked up 72 career tackles and 4.5 sacks and earned a pass interception in the 2022 season. 

Sylvere Campbell transferred to Winona State University from Carthage College, competing for the Warriors in the 2023 fall campaign. While at WSU, Campbell earned 2023 NSIC All-Conference Second Team accolades as a wide receiver. The Milwaukee, Wis. product had 629 total receiving yards in 2023 and hauled in six touchdown catches. Campbell's longest reception of the season was a 79-yard TD catch against Minnesota State in week 10. 

Jake Van Hulzen is a quarterback and special teams standout from Coon Rapids, Minn.  Serving as the holder for the Winona State PAT and field goal unit, Van Hulzen was an integral part of a PAT group that was a perfect 34-for-34 on point-after attempts in 2023.  With Van Hulzen holding, Winona State also coverted 13 field goal attempt in the 2023 season. 

Academic All-District honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-American honorees will be announced Jan. 16, 2024. 

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH. 

About Winona State University Athletics: 

The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.  

Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.

Media Contact: Pete Watkins, Director of Athletic Communications | Ph: 507.457.5577 | Email: pwatkins@winona.edu