GREENWOOD, Ind. – The 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District Football Teams were released Thursday morning and Gustavus junior kicker Andrew Abegglen (Mound) and senior receiver Dalton Thelen (Cold Spring) were selected to the District 6 Team, which recognizes student-athletes from institutions in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The CoSIDA Academic All-District Teams recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.
Abegglen, a communication studies and management major with a 3.59 GPA, tied the Gustavus program record with 13 made field goals this season. Abegglen converted 13-of-17 field goals with a long of 42 yards. His 13 made field goals were fourth most in NCAA Division III this season. Abegglen, who earned MIAC Special Teams Player of the Week five times this season, made 31-of-36 extra points for a total of 70 points, tying the program record for most points scored by kicking in a season. He also handled the bulk of the kickoff duties with 58 kickoffs for 3,147 yards (54.3 yards per kick), including seven touchbacks. The Gusties set the program record with 80 points in their season-opening victory at Buena Vista and Abegglen set the program record for PATs in a game, going 11-for-11.
Thelen, a elementary education major with a 3.58 GPA, led the Gustie receiving corps with 57 catches for 854 yards and nine touchdowns. Thelen’s nine receiving touchdowns are second most in the MIAC and his 85.4 receiving yards per game rank fifth in the league. Thelen averaged 15.0 yards per catch, ranking fourth in the conference. Thelen also spent time in the backfield with 26 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown. Using his speed in all facets of the game, Thelen recorded 10 kick returns for an average of 24.5 yards per return, including an 89-yard touchdown against Concordia on Sept. 25, earning him MIAC Special Teams Player of the Week. The kickoff return touchdown was the first by a Gustie since 2009. Thelen averaged 128.6 all-purpose yards per game, which ranked second in the MIAC.
This year’s 25-member All-District 6 Team includes 13 student-athletes from the MIAC. Abegglen is the only kicker and Thelen is one of three receivers selected to the All-District Team. Academic All-District honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot, where first-, second-, and third-team All-America honorees will be selected next month.