Senior defensive tackle Alex Severn (50) and junior offensive lineman Blake Bergstrom (74) were named to the 2014 NCAA Division III Capital One Academic All-Distirct 8 First Team.

Posted: Nov 06, 2014

Bergstrom, Severn named to Academic All-District First Team

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Simpson football players Blake Bergstrom and Alex Severn each landed a spot on the 2014 NCAA Division III Capital One Academic All-District 8® First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Director of America (CoSIDA).

Severn was also a first team selection in 2013 while Bergstrom earns the honor for the first time. As first team selections, both players advance to the Capital One Academic All-America® Team ballot, where first, second, and third team All-Americans will be selected later this month.

Complete Academic all-District Football Teams

A junior from Ankeny, Iowa, Bergstrom owns a 3.71 cumulative grade point average while majoring in physical education with a minor in coaching. He is a two-year starter on the offensive line for the Storm, starting every game this season at left tackle. Bergstrom has helped pave the way for a rushing attack that averages nearly 170 yards per game. He was an Academic all-Iowa Conference pick in 2013 and has been named to the Dean's List (3.70-3.99) twice.

A senior from Council Bluffs, Iowa, Severn owns a 3.86 cumulative grade point average while majoring in applied philosophy with minors in mathematics and political science. Through eight games this season, Severn – a defensive tackle – is the team's fifth-leading tackler with 36, including 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. A team captain, Severn is also the Student Body President and president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He has been named to the Dean's List multiple times throughout his academic career and was a member of Simpson's co-National Championship team in College Public Forum Debate.

Bergstrom and Severn were two of 24 individuals selected to District 8 First Team, which is of comprised of student-athletes from Division III institutions in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Canada.