July 2013: ESCU Picked to Repeat as Northern Division Champs

ECSU PICKED TO REPEAT AS NORTHERN DIVISION CHAMPS

Three Vikings Land on 2013 Preseason All-CIAA Team

July 25, 2013

WINSTON-SALEM, NC- The CIAA officially kicked of the athletic season with the 2013 Football Media Day held Thursday morning at the Donald J. Reaves Student Activities Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University.

The Vikings (8-4 overall last season), the 2012 Pioneer Bowl and Northern Division champions, were picked to repeat atop their Division, second place overall.

Winston-Salem State University the two-time defending CIAA Champions were picked to finish first overall as voted by the CIAA Football Coaches Association.

If the head coaches’ predictions hold, the CIAA North will finish with ECSU in first place followed by Chowan University, Bowie State University, Virginia Union University, Virginia State University and Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. In the South the Rams will be followed by Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Johnson C. Smith University, Fayetteville State University, and Livingstone College.

Individually the Vikings had three seniors voted to the 2013 Preseason All-CIAA Team; offensive lineman David Gatlin, kicker/punter Brett Symonds and two-time All-CIAA performer, defensive back Nigel Rios.

Last season David Gatlin blocked for an offensive line that was the season best rushing attack in the CIAA. Brett Symonds, who lands on the Preseason Team as both a punter and a kicker, had a solid junior season that saw him connect on 9-12 field goals and 35-38 in point after attempts.

Nigel Rios is primed for an All-American campaign this season after starting all 12 games for ECSU last year. A native of Washington, DC, he led all Viking defenders with a team high 84 tackles (64 solo) and 6 blocked kicks.

The Vikings will kick off the season on September 7^th at home against Newberry College. For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com and follow on Twitter @ECSUVikings.

April J. Emory

Elizabeth City State University

Sports Information Director

1704 Weeksville Road * Campus Box 900

Elizabeth City, NC 27909

252.335.3278 (office)

252.335.3627 (fax)

www.ecsuvikings.com

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