Coe's Trevor Heitland named semifinalist for Gagliardi Trophy

CEDAR RAPIDS — Coe College senior running back Trevor Heitland has been selected as one of 10 semifinalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, which goes to the top football student-athlete in NCAA Division III.

The former Cedar Rapids Kennedy prep was the Iowa Conference's Offensive Most Valuable Player, leading D-III in all-purpose yards through the regular season (217.6 per game) and finishing second in rushing yards (1,619) and ninth in touchdowns (18).

Heitland had a career-high 251 yards on 50 carries in Coe's 21-14 first-round playoff win over Monmouth this past Saturday. He also led the Kohawks with four pass receptions.

Heitland contributes to Meals on Wheels, the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Read Across America and various youth football camps. The Gagliardi Trophy 'is a football award but incorporates the philosophy of the well-rounded student-athlete.'

It is picked via vote of 40 Gagliardi Trophy committee members and one online vote. Fans can vote for one of the semifinalists at d3football.com.

The other nine finalists are Monmouth linebacker Matt Barnes, Wis.-Whitewater defensive lineman John Flood, St. John's (Minn.) linebacker Carter Hanson, Alfred (N.Y.) linebacker A.J. LiCata, Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) safety/punter Baylor Mullins, Hardin-Simmons (Texas) linebacker Cory Ward, Hendrix (Ark.) running back Dayton Winn, Washington (Mo.) quarterback J.J. Tomlin and Linfield (Ore.) quarterback Sam Riddle.