Anderson is the son of Robert and Gwen Anderson.  At Bethany he plans to study finance.

Hakeem Blackmon, Bay City, Tex.

Blackmon is a 5'8", 160 lb. wide receiver from Van Vleck High School. There he earned 2nd team all district for football.  Blackmon also lettered in basketball.  He has a 3.0 high school GPA.

Blackmon is the son of Teresa Blackmon.

Robert Thomas Boyd, The Colony, Tex.

Boyd is a 6', 220 lb. middle linebacker from The Colony High School.  There he earned Defensive Newcomer of the Year. In 2008, Boyd tallied 58.5 tackles, 22 solo tackles, 30 assists, four tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and two batted passes.  He also participated in power lifting and baseball. 

Boyd is the son of Robert and Cindy Boyd.  At Bethany he plans to study physical education.

Jahmal Bryant, Tulsa, Okla.

Bryant is a 5'11", 185 lb. linebacker from Tulsa Central High School.

Bryant is the son of Wayne Bryant. At Bethany he plans to study business.

Matt Burks, Denton, Tex.

Burks is a 6'2", 240 lb. center from Billy Ryan High School. There he was a four-year letterman and two year starter.  Burks was also Academic MVP 2009 and a member of the Key Club.  He has a 3.94 high school GPA.

Burks is the son of Brad and Mishelle Burks.  At Bethany he plans to study pre-professional dentistry.

Zach Dovenbarger, Kersey, Colo.

Dovenbarger is a 5'9", 170 lb. wide receiver and defensive back from Platte Valley High School.  There he also played baseball and earned honorable mention all conference honors in 2008.

Dovenbarger is the son of Paul and Merilan Dovenbarger. At Bethany he plans to study sports management.

Tyler Bynum, Willis, Tex.

Bynum is a 5'11", 175 lb. wide receiver and corner from Caney Creek High School.  There he earned second team all district as a receiver and first team as a corner.  Bynum also played running back his senior year.  He has a 3.05 high school GPA.

Bynum is the son of Tamara Moreci.  At Bethany he plans to study sports management.

Jeff Childs, Jr., Junction City, Kan.

Childs, Jr. is a 5'8", 170 lb. outside linebacker from Junction City High School.  There he was a 6A football state champion and earned all league honors.  Childs, Jr. was also a four-year letter winner in wrestling, was team captain, and participated in baseball and track.  He was a Kansas honor scholar and a four-year academic letter winner.  Childs, Jr. has a 3.76 high school GPA.

Childs, Jr. is the son of Jeff and Sherri Childs.  At Bethany he plans to study criminal justice.

Justin Dunbar, Tulsa, Okla.

Dunbar is a 5'8", 185 lb. running back and linebacker from Berryhill High School.  Dunbar was also a weightlifter for four years and participated in track and field for three.  He earned all district honors for football as well as 3A All-Star and Team MVP.  In weight lifting, Dunbar was a four-time placer and a two-time runner up state winner.  He also garnered seven Athlete of the Week accolades and was named Student of the Month.  Dunbar has a 3.0 high school GPA.

Dunbar is the son of Kim and David Dunbar.

Marcos Franco, Garland, Tex.

Franco is a 5'10", 160 lb. wide receiver from Lakeview Centennial High School.  In his senior season, Franco had 16 catches for 150 yards.  He earned honorable mention honors for football.  In addition to football, Franco was also a point guard in basketball and ran the 400 meter in track.  He was also named a Christian Athlete of the Year semi-finalist.  Franco has a 3.2 high school GPA.

Franco is the son of Marcos Eliseo Franco and Nidya Franco.  At Bethany he plans to study pre-medicine.

Travis Helberg, Penokee, Kan.

Helberg is a 6'3", 165 lb. wide receiver from Hill City High School.  There he played both football and track.  Helberg was a member of National Honor Society, Pep Club President, and Science and Math Club President.  He has a 3.71 high school GPA.

Helberg is the son of Tracy and Mickie Helberg.  At Bethany he plans to study art.

Alonzo Howell

Howell is a 5'10", 215 lb. running back from Grossmont College. He also ran track in the 100m dash and 4x4 relay. He has a 2.9 GPA.

Howell is the son of Edgar and Silvia Howell. At Bethany he plans to study criminal justice.

Ethan Leichinger, The Colony, Tex.

Leichinger is a 6', 195 lb. H back from The Colony High School.  There he was a two-year football starter.  During his senior year, Leichinger ran for 294 yards, averaging 19 yards per carry while scoring one touchdown.  He also had 13 tackles, 11 assists, three pass knockdowns, and one sack.  Leichinger earned all district honors as a tight end and defensive end.  He was also a member of the wrestling team. 

Leichinger is the son of Rich and LeAnn Leichinger.  At Bethany he plans to study business.

Brandon Martino, Junction City, Kan.

Martino is a 6'1", 190 lb. wide receiver from Junction City High School. There he played football for four years, and was a starter his junior and senior year.  Martino had 27 receptions, 424 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns.  He earned all league honorable mention honors in both 2007 and 2008.  Martino also played basketball for four years.  He was a member of MAYB for four consecutive years and was captain in 2007.  In addition, Martino was a four-year member of the honor roll as well as a member of Blue Jay Pride club and Senior Committee.  He has a 3.6 high school GPA.

Martino is the son of Robin Martino.  At Bethany he plans to study physical therapy and athletic training.

Bret Middleton, Canton, Kan.

Middleton is a 5'9", 287 lb. offensive and defensive lineman from Canton-Galva High School.  There he was a three-year starter on the football team.  Middleton was also a four-year baseball starter and a member of the basketball team.  His junior year, he earned first team all league honors for baseball.  Middleton was also named to the honor roll several times throughout high school.  He has a 3.0 high school GPA.

Middleton is the son of John and Gina Middleton.  At Bethany he plans to study athletic training.

Jeff Minyard, Irving, Tex.

Minyard is a 6'2", 280 lb. offensive lineman from Irving Nimmitz High School. He has a 3.0 high school GPA.

Kurtis Pihl, Lindsborg, Kan.

Pihl is a 5'10", 165 lb. wide receiver from Smoky Valley High School. There he received all league honors as a wide receiver and defensive back. Pihl also was a forward on the basketball team and participated in tennis doubles. He was a member of National Honor Society with a high school GPA of 3.67.

Pihl is the son of Kendall and Karla Pihl. At Bethany he plans to study Biology.

Matthew Redding, Costa Mesa, Cali.

Redding is a 6'2", 205 lb. wide receiver and halfback from Orange Coast College.  Redding earned MVP of the Orange Coast League, all league honors, and the high school All-Star team in 2007.

Redding is the son of William and Bernadette Redding.  At Bethany he plans to study education.

Alex Schell, Kansas City, Kan.

Schell is a 5'10", 150 lb. safety from Klahowya Secondary School in Silverdale, Wash.  There he earned all league and county honors for football.  Schell was also a midfielder on the lacrosse team.  He has a 3.5 high school GPA and previously attended the University of Kansas.

Schell is the son of Brian Schell and Midori Fugimaki. At Bethany he plans to study sports management.

Matthew Scott, Castle Rock, Colo.

Scott is a 6'1", 185 lb. wide receiver and linebacker from Douglas County High School.  There he lettered in both football and track and field.  In addition to participating in the pole vault, long jump, and 400m run, Scott was a member of the orchestra and theatre tech crew. He has a 3.0 high school GPA.

Scott is the son of David and Susie Scott. At Bethany he plans to study history/political science.

Greg Smith, Drumright, Okla.

Smith is a 6'3", 235 lb. slot back, kicker, and punter from Drumright High School.  There he earned all district honors.  Smith also played soccer for four years and basketball for three.  He has a 3.0 high school GPA.

Smith is the son of Robin Gay.  At Bethany he plans to study criminal justice or education.

Aksel Smoljan, Erie, Colo.

Smoljan is a 6'2", 260 lb. defensive end from Erie High School.  There he played football, basketball, and baseball.  He has a 3.5 high school GPA.

Smoljan is the son of Amy Junge Seeger. At Bethany he plans to study physical education.

J. Allen Stigler, Garland, Tex.

Stigler is a 6', 230 lb. tight end and defensive end from North Garland High School.  There he earned second team all district honors as well as being named team captain.  Stigler also participated in golf, weightlifting, and the shot put.  He was a member of HST, MST, HOSA, a soccer referee, and was a recipient of the Joe Allen Award.  He has a 2.7 high school GPA.

Stigler is the son of Earl and Cheri Stigler.  At Bethany he plans to study biology/pre-medicine.

D'Andre Thompson, Baytown, Tex.

Thompson is a 6'4", 190 lb. wide out from Ross S. Sterling High School.  There he was a three-year letter winner in football.  Thompson also participated in track for three years and basketball for two.  He has a 3.4 high school GPA.

Thompson is the son of Kevin and Lachey Thompson.  At Bethany he plans to study business management/marketing.

Jake Walker, Wichita, Kan.

Walker is a 5'9", 160 lb. running back, kick returner, and cornerback from Circle High School.  There he earned second team all league honors as a kick returner and honorable mention all league as a defensive back.  In addition to playing football, Walker will also run track at Bethany.  He ran the 100m dash in high school. Walker was a member of the bowling team for one year and was named to the honor roll.  He has a 3.5 high school GPA.

Walker is the son of Keith and Vickie Walker.  AT Bethany he plans to study biology.

Cory Ward, Abilene, Kan.

Ward is a 5'9", 260 lb. center from Abilene High School.  There he was a senior captain on the football team.  Ward also participated in wrestling and power lifting.  He has a 3.94 high school GPA.

Ward is the son of Ralph and Michelle Ward.  At Bethany he plans to study secondary math education.

Sankietrek Wiggins, Houston, Tex.

Wiggins is a 5'10", 250 lb. defensive lineman from Houston Nimmitz High School. There he earned all district honors as well as defensive MVP for football. Wiggins was also a four-year basketball starter and played baseball. He has a 2.8 high school GPA.

Wiggins is the son of Tamara Tate. At Bethany he plans to study criminal justice.

LaDarius Wilkerson, Mt. Pleasant, Tex.

Wilkerson is a 5'10", 150 lb. wide receiver and defensive back from Mount Pleasant High School.  There he earned all district honors as a corner.  Wilkerson also played basketball, soccer, and track. In addition to football, Wilkerson will also participate in track at Bethany.

Wilkerson is the son of Tyrone and Carolyn Wilkerson.  At Bethany he plans to study business.

Malcolm Zeno, Baytown, Tex.

Zeno is a 5'10", 185 lb. running back and safety from Ross S. Sterling High School  There he was a four year member of the football team and the recipient of the Star Award in football.  Zeno also participated in track for two years.  He has a 3.15 high school GPA.

Zeno is the son of Richard and Martha Zeno.  At Bethany he plans to study biology/pre-medicine. 

Bethany College competes in 15 intercollegiate sports in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, as well as college-sponsored cheer and dance squads.  Since 1902, Bethany has won 140 conference championships.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service.

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