FIVE WARRIORS GAIN POST-SEASON FOOTBALL HONORS

Matt Mendola	Sean McGinley	Ricky Lannetti	Sean Hennigar	Luke Sterling
photos by Dick Hostrander

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – Five student-athletes from the Lycoming College football team have earned post-season honors as members of various All-America teams. Matt Mendola, Sean McGinley, Ricky Lannetti, Luke Sterling, and Sean Hennigar were each named to at least one All-America Division III Football team.

Mendola, a senior from Dunmore, Pa., was named to three All-America squads. He was named a second-team All-American by the Football Gazette, a third-team All-American by the Division III Sports Information Directors, and an honorable mention by D3football.com. Mendola anchored the Warriors’ offensive line from his position at left tackle. Despite playing his first three seasons at center, Mendola shifted to tackle to help protect the quarterbacks’ back side. As a team Lycoming allowed just 23 sacks in 382 pass attempts. The Warriors also rushed for nearly 1,300 yards during the season. Mendola was a two-time, first-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference selection and represented Lycoming at the 2003 Aztec Bowl in Cancun, Mexico.

McGinley, a senior from Croyden, Pa., was named to two All-America teams. He was named a second-team All-American by D3football.com and an honorable mention by the Division III Sports Information Directors. McGinley also changed positions just prior to the start of his senior season, as he moved from tight end to defensive end. The move proved to be key to the Warriors’ success in 2003 as McGinley was fourth on the team with 63 tackles, including 15 sacks and 24 tackles-for-a-loss. McGinley led the MAC in both sacks and tackles-for-a-loss and was named first-team all-conference.

Lannetti, a senior from Philadelphia, Pa.; Sterling, a sophomore from Lehighton, Pa.; and Hennigar, a senior from Philadelphia, Pa.; were each named to one All-America team.

Lannetti was named a third-team All-American by D3football.com. Lannetti was Lycoming’s leading receiver in 2003 with 70 catches for 955 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned 26 punts for 273 yards and 18 kickoffs for 392 yards. Lannetti set two Warrior receiving records during the season with 16 catches versus Delaware Valley setting a new single-game mark and 70 total receptions setting a new single-season record. He was named a first-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference selection as a receiver and a second-team selection as a kick returner. Lannetti’s season and career came to a tragic end less than 24 hours before Lycoming’s quarterfinal playoff game versus Bridgewater College when the 21-year old passed away due to a bloodstream infection.

Sterling was named an honorable mention All-American by the Division III Sports Information Directors. Sterling was the Warriors’ second-leading tackler with 74 stops on the season. He also recorded 11 sacks and 19 tackles-for-a-loss, while breaking up eight passes including an interception, recovering five fumbles, and forcing two more fumbles. Sterling earned first-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference honors.

Hennigar was named a second-team All-American by the Division III Sports Information Directors. Hennigar was the Warriors’ starting tight end. He was second on the squad with 52 catches for 528 yards and seven touchdowns.