Trinity's Biel and Trella Named Preseason All-Americans

San Antonio – Trinity University Tigers sophomores Garrett Biel and Kyle Trella have been elected to the D3football.com 2010 Preseason All-American Team.

Biel, a kicker from Clayton, Calif. (De La Salle); and Trella, a punter from Chandler, Ariz. (Chandler); were named to the Preseason All-American Second Team. The Tiger duo were selected for the 2009 D3football.com All-American Third Team.

The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Biel led the NCAA Division III in field goals made last season, connecting on 17 of 19. His longest field goal was 48 yards. Biel’s 17 field goals set a new school record for a single season. He also broke the mark for most field goals in a single game, making four against Rhodes College.

Trella led the nation in punting during the regular season (No. 2 after the playoffs), averaging 44 yards per attempt.  He broke a 46-year-old Trinity record with his 48.8 yards per punt average against Sewanee. Trella now holds four of the top-10 averages in Tigers’ single-game history (minimum of five punts). He landed over 33 percent (16) of his punts inside the 20-yard line. 

In addition, the 6-foot, 165-pound Trella was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Football Newcomer of the Year. Both Biel and Trella were elected to the All-South Region First Team, and the All-SCAC First Team.

Trinity completed the 2009 campaign with a 7-3 overall record, and tied for third place in the SCAC with a 4-2 mark.

The Tigers, led by 21st-year head coach Steve Mohr, have been ranked 19th by The Sporting News Division III Preseason Poll.

Trinity returns 16 starters (eight offense, six defense, two special teams) from the 2009 season. The team’s reporting date is Aug. 12. The Tigers open their 2010 campaign Sept. 4 by hosting Howard Payne in a non-conference game at Trinity University Football Stadium.