Groh, Wertheimer land on d3football.com First Team All-West Region

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2009) – Announced late last week by d3football.com, both Alex Wertheimer and Alex Groh were voted to the First Team All-West Region following the 2009 football season and will now be candidates for All-American status, to be announced Dec. 19 in conglomeration with the Stagg Bowl.

Both Alex’s played big in big games this season for Oxy and came up clutch when the Tigers needed them most. They lead by example both on and off the field and are great teammates, while they both remain grounded and are extremely humble. Not only have they succeeded on the gridiron, but in the classroom as well.

“In my 30 years at Occidental, Groh and Wertheimer are hands down the best punter and defensive lineman I have coached,” praised head coach Dale Widolff.

The duo came in together and since day one have possessed great work ethic. One of the main reason these student-athletes have excelled on the football field is their drive and desire to be better, which has helped the Tigers earn a pair of Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and two trips to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. They have worked hard in and out of season and showed improvement throughout their careers.

Wertheimer followed up his selection as the SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year with his first selection to the All-West Region team. The 6-foot-4 defensive end had a standout season and made an impact in every game he played for the Black and Orange. With 55 total tackles, Wertheimer was responsible for 30 solo stops with 19 tackles for a loss of 80 yards. He sacked the QB 7.5 times, pushing back the opposition 51 yards in 2009. In addition, he hurried the quarterback 38 times, broke up three plays, recovered a fumble and blocked a kick for the Tigers.

Twice this year he was honored on the d3football.com Team of the Week, once after a loss to No. 5 Linfield (10 QBH, 8.0 tackles, 2.0 TFL) and again after a win over the University of La Verne (4.0 sacks, 2 QBH, 6.0 TFL). Overall the junior DE recorded

Groh was limited to just five games in 2009 before his season and career were cut short due to an injury. A two-time All-American and the 2007 Gilburg Award recipient, he was named to the All-SCIAC line-up for the fourth time in his career, this as a First Teamer. After finishing his 2008 campaign among the nation’s leaders and looking to defend his title, Groh fell short of the minimum punts required and was taken out of the running in the final week of the season.

Though five games the 6-foot-3 Groh punted more than 50 yards nine times this season and on more than half of his chances (15-of-29) pinned the opposition deep in their own territory on the one and two yard lines.

Occidental finished the 2009 season second in the SCIAC with a 5-1 record and posted a 7-2 overall mark.

For a complete list of the All-Region recipients, please log onto www.d3football.com.