DIV 2
Bender, Blackwell named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Super Region 1 Team
The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Thursday that East Stroudsburg University football student-athletes Rece Bender and Daryn Blackwell were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Super Region 1 Team. Bender and Blackwell become the 30th and 31st CoSIDA Academic All-District Selections in ESU football program history.
Bender was named to the All-PSAC East First Team as a wide receiver on Wednesday, registering 795 receiving yards which ranked fourth in the PSAC and second in the east division of the conference. The explosive receiver recorded six catches of 45 yards-plus, including a 96-yard reception touchdown against Millersville which is tied for the longest reception in Division II this season and the longest play from scrimmage for the Warriors since 2013. An elite returner, he broke an ESU program record with a 99-yd kickoff return for a touchdown against Lock Haven. Bender ranked second in the conference and 37th nationally in all-purpose yards per game, with an average of 120.73.
In the classroom, Bender has registered a 3.79 grade point average as a sport management major. An active member of ESU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), he serves as the vice president for the past two years and serves as the co-chair of the PSAC's SAAC organization. The native of Lancaster has also served as a guest speaker in ESU's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in College Athletics: A Call to Action webinar series.
Blackwell, a defensive tackle, is also a thrower on the Warriors' track and field squad. Also a sport management major, Blackwell has a 3.68 grade point average. Blackwell has started in 10 contests this season on the impressive defensive unit that ranks second in the PSAC and 21st in Division II in sacks. He totaled 23 tackles, four tackles for loss and a half sack and recovered a fumble. Often absorbing double teams, he helped free up Andre Eldridge and Deshawn McCarthy, who both received All-PSAC honors. Blackwell, a native of Toms River, N.J., is a multi-time dean's list, athletic director's honor roll and PSAC Scholar-Athlete. He placed 8th at the 2021 PSAC Outdoor Championships in the hammer.