MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – UW-Eau Claire football players Paul Santi (Sr.-Kingsford, Mich.) and Joel Sweeney (Sr.-Tomah, Wis.) have been selected to the 2013 D3football.com All-West Region team, D3football.com officials announced today.

View D3football.com All-Region Teams

Santi, the Blugolds' center, started all 40 games in his career. He earned first team All-West Region honors this season after being named to the All-WIAC first team. Previously, he was named to the All-WIAC second team in 2011 and 2012.

A running back, Sweeney was selected to the All-West region second team for the second straight year. He ended his career with 4,021 rushing yards, third on the Blugolds' all-time list, and 861 carries, fourth most in school history. He also finished with 45 touchdowns in his career, tied for fourth in school archives. This season Sweeney had 1,168 yards playing nine games, tied for seventh best in a single season with Blugold Hall of Famer Roger Vann. He led the conference all season in rushing and was named to the All-WIAC first team for the second straight year. Sweeney was also named the Blugolds' Offensive MVP for the third time in his career this season and was named to the D3football.com All-West Region third team in 2010.

The All-West Region teams, selected in balloting by West Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 202 nominations by Division III member schools. A total of 79 players were chosen.

-KM-