Feb. 8, 2002

LAS VEGAS - Eight UNLV football players earned Academic All-Mountain West Conference honors for the 2001 season, the league announced Friday.

Of the 88 overall honorees, 44 were also on last year's squad and 13 have earned the award during all three years of the MWC's existence - including two from UNLV.

Leading the way for the Rebels was running back Joe Haro, who was a second-team All-MWC performer on the field and three-time winner in the classroom. The junior from Clifton, N.J., rushed for 1,107 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2001 and holds a 3.13 grade point average in communications. Joining him as a three-timer was wide receiver and kicks holder Toby Smeltzer. The Las Vegas native boasted a team-best 3.62 GPA while majoring in hotel administration.

The other Rebels on this year's list were junior defensive end and repeat honoree Trevan Sorensen, junior defensive back Chameion Sutton, sophomore place-kicker and repeat honoree Dillon Pieffer, sophomore defensive back Derek Olsen, freshman quarterback Kurt Nantkes and freshman kickoff man Hubertus Schulze Zumkley.

To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least one academic term at the school while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and be a starter or significant contributor.

The eight selections tied for the third-most such honorees in UNLV history.

UNLV PLAYERS ON THE 2001 ACADEMIC ALL-MWC TEAM
Player          Pos Yr  MajorJoe Haro*       RB  JR  CommunicationsKurt Nantkes     QB  FR  EconomicsDerek Olsen       DB  SO  CommunicationsDillon Pieffer#     PK  SO  Hotel AdministrationHubertus Schulze ZumkleyPK  FR  International BusinessToby Smeltzer*      DB/H    JR  Hotel AdministrationTrevan Sorensen#    DE  JR  BusinessChamieon Sutton     DB  JR  Liberal Studies

*THREE-TIME HONOREE#TWO-TIME HONOREEE