Three Wildcats Named Academic All-District

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State seniors Jeron Mastrud and Jeffrey Fitzgerald, as well as sophomore Tysyn Hartman were named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII teams, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Thursday.

Mastrud was named to the first team for the second straight season, while Fitzgerald and Hartman earned second team honors.

Mastrud, who became the 17th player in school history to earn Academic All-American accolades last season, is the fifth player in school history and the first since Jon McGraw in 2000 and 2001 to earn consecutive Academic All-District honors. A two-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Mastrud was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team prior to his senior campaign, is a semifinalist for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy) and a finalist for the 2009 ARA Sportsmanship Award.

This season, Mastrud has caught 18 passes for 215 yards to rank third in the Big 12 among tight ends in each category. The Beaverton, Ore., product, who has played in 45 of a possible 46 games at K-State, is second among tight ends in school history with 1,201 career receiving yards, while he has recorded 103 receptions to rank 11th in school history, but tops among tight ends.

Hartman, like Mastrud, was also a first team Academic All-District and First Team Academic All-Big 12 honoree in 2008. The former quarterback, who transitioned to safety in 2008, was named a midseason All-Big 12 performer by Phil Steele as he ranks fourth in the Big 12 and 25th nationally with four interceptions, while he is fifth in the conference and 29th in the NCAA with 10 passes defended. The Wichita, Kan., product is also second on the team in tackles with 42.

A first-time Academic All-District honoree, Fitzgerald has had a productive year after sitting out the 2008 season due to NCAA transfer rules. The defensive end has been outstanding in Big 12 play as he has recorded 6.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks against conference foes, which ranks sixth and 11th in the Big 12, respectively. He, like Hartman, was named to Phil Steele's midseason All-Big 12 team.

Nominees for the Academic All-District teams must have obtained a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and first-year student-athletes are not eligible. Individuals are selected by a vote of CoSIDA members and are chosen by position. By earning first team honors, Mastrud is now eligible to be included on the ballot for CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American honors.

K-State continues play this Saturday with rival Kansas and less than 3,000 tickets remain for the contest. The most convenient way to order tickets is online at www.k-statesports.com, while they may also be purchased at the K-State Athletic Ticket Office in Bramlage Coliseum or by calling (785) 532-7606.

K-State students can also still purchase a special $89 ticket package for the final two home games of the season, a savings of $21 if purchased separately. The general admission seats are located in Section 28 of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. To purchase the special $89 package, students should go online to www.k-statesports.com or call the Athletics Ticket Office at Bramlage Coliseum at (785) 532-7606.