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d3football all-region 2023

Slywka Named D3football.com Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year; Five Bombers Honored

12/6/2023 1:25:00 PM

ITHACA, N.Y. – D3football.com announced its all-region teams for the 2023 season on December 6 and five players from Ithaca College landed on one of the three teams in Region 2, while Derek Slywka was named the Defensive Player of the Year.

NCAA Division III realigned Division III football into six regions in 2021. Region 2 includes the Centennial Conference, Empire 8, Landmark Conference, Liberty League, New Jersey Athletic Conference and Presidents' Athletic Conference.

Slywka, a senior from Waterloo, N.Y., recorded 51 total tackles, intercepted six passes, broke up 10 more, while also forcing a fumble, recovering another, blocking two kicks and recording two tackles for loss from his safety spot for the Bombers. Slywka forced a turnover in six straight games this season and totaled eight takeaways during that stretch. He was also named to the first team.

IC had three other players on the first team – Jalen Leonard-Osbourne, JoJo Puckey and Ben Stola. Colin Norton was named to the third team.

Leonard-Osbourne, the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 1055 yards and 11 touchdowns this season on 171 carries. He was the first IC running back to eclipse 1000 yards since 2012. He also caught 42 passes for 401 yards and three more scores.

Pucky, a first team honoree in the Liberty League, started 11 games at center this season. IC allowed just four sacks all year as the Bombers averaged 25.5 points and 352.8 yards (192.8 rushing).

Stola, the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year, logged 118 total tackles (62 solo) with 12 tackles for a loss of 31 yards and two sacks. Stola also intercepted three passes, broke up three more and recovered a fumble.

Norton was another Liberty League First Team selection at left tackle and started all 12 games this season.

The teams, selected in balloting by Region 2 sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 255 nominations by full Division III member schools. A total of 82 players were chosen. Players nominated for All-Region are eligible to be considered for D3football.com All-America honors, which will be announced the evening of Dec. 15, in D3football.com's pregame coverage for Stagg Bowl 50.