Missouri Western senior center Michael Yardley has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District team, presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

This marks Yardley’s second Academic All-District (2011) award in his career. The senior transfer from Nebraska-Omaha has anchored the offensive line the past two seasons making 21 starts in the Griffons 22 games. This season he has started all 10 games and has helped the Griffons rush for 300.9 yards per game which is the highest avearge in school history. In his career MWSU has rushed for over 200 yards as a team 18 times. When the Griffons rush for over 200 yards since Yardley has been under center they are 17-1. This season the Griffons have rushed for over 300 yards three times and over 400 yards once. They rushed for 418 yards in the 56-28 victory over then 25th ranked Washburn on Saturday, November 3 in St. Joseph, Mo. The Griffons have rushed for 3,009 yards on the season for a 6.7yard per carry average. If the season ended today it would be the highest per carry average in school history as the highest is 5.4 which was set last season.

An accounting & finance major, Yardley entered the 2012-13 academic year with a 3.71grade-point average.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at her institution and be nominated by her sports information office. The terms “Academic all-American” and “Academic all-District” are trademarked by CoSIDA and are the officially tracked academic awards by NCAA institutions.

Western wraps-up the regular season on Saturday, November 10th in Maryville, Mo. against rival #4 Northwest Missouri State University. Kickoff is set for 2:37 pm from Bearcat Stadium. The winner will claim the MIAA Title.

— MWSU Sports Information —