Waupaca native Justin Berrens was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player, De Pere's Andy Kazik earned Defensive MVP honors, and Appleton's Zach Michael was chosen as the Special Teams MVP. Green Bay's Seth Meinel won the Hustle Award, and Stephen Venugopal and Josh Gilbert shared the Most Improved Award.
Head coach Dave Brown handed out the awards at the team's banquet, which took place just recently.
Berrens, a sophomore running back and first team All-Midwest Conference selection, finished second in the league in rushing with 288 carries for 1,396 yards and six touchdowns. The former Waupaca High School star averaged 4.8 yards per carry and 139.6 yards per game. He finished the season ranked 13th in the nation in rushing yards per game.
The former Waupaca High School star had his biggest games of the season in the first and last weeks. He ran for a season-high 222 yards in the season opener at Wisconsin Lutheran College and picked up 200 yards in the season finale vs. Ripon College. He finished the season by rushing for 100-plus yards in the final five games.
Kazik, a NCAA Division III wrestling champion, was playing his first season of football for the Vikings, but he had a huge impact. The former De Pere High School star led the team with 89 tackles from his linebacker position. He recorded eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, two passes defensed, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles.
Michael, a first-team All-MWC pick at wide receiver, was also the team's punt returner. He had 23 returns for 233 yards, a 10.1-yard average. He also returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown in a 34-30 loss at Grinnell College. It marked the first time the Vikings had returned a punt for a touchdown since the 1998 season.
Meinel, who played his prep football at Green Bay Southwest, was a wild man on special teams. He recorded eight tackles on the season and was a constant on all the coverage and return units. Venugopal, a Pewaukee native who attended high school in the Philippines, had a breakthrough season at linebacker. The junior had 62 tackles and was second on the team with 10 tackles for loss and second with three sacks. He also picked up five passes defensed.
Gilbert, a freshman offensive lineman from Brownsboro, Texas, began the season as a reserve but injuries forced him into the starting lineup at guard. He responded well and was one of the reasons Berrens had such a successful year running the ball and why the Vikings gave up just 13 quarterback sacks.
Lawrence opens the 2003 on Sept. 13 in the Banta Bowl against Illinois College.