Lehigh University Athletics
Groome, Spadola earn preseason recognition from CDS
6/20/2011 8:31:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two members of the Lehigh football program have been recognized by Consensus Draft Services, as the organization announced its Preseason All-American football teams on Monday. The Mountain Hawks two returning 2010 All-Americans, senior Mike Groome and junior Ryan Spadola earned honorable mention All-American honors. Last month both men were named in the top ten at their position by the Sports Network.
A team captain for Lehigh entering the 2011 season, Groome is coming off a breakout 2010 campaign where he led the Mountain Hawks in tackles, while earning first team All-Patriot League honors, fourth team All-America laurels from Phil Steele and ECAC All-Star status.
Groome made just 13 tackles as a sophomore, but blossomed as a junior with a team-best 131 stops including a career-high 16 total tackles in Lehigh's win over rival Lafayette. The Byram, N.J. native finished with 73 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks three forced fumbles and an interception for the Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks.
Spadola proved to be another breakout star for the Brown and White in 2010. After catching just one pass as a freshman, Spadola caught 78 as a sophomore for 1,130 yards and nine touchdowns. He had the most receptions and receiving yards for a Lehigh receiver since 2001. Spadola tied a school record with 14 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns in a comeback win at Harvard, and caught three touchdowns the following week in a rout of Bucknell at Goodman Stadium.The Howell, N.J. native was a first team All-Patriot League selection, an ECAC All-Star and a third team All-American according to the Sports Network. Last month Spadola was named to Lindy's All-FCS Offensive first team, marking the second straight year a Lehigh player was recognized on Lindy's first team.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2011 season on Saturday September 3, when they travel to West Long Branch New Jersey to face the Monmouth Hawks. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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