Glendora, CA (Football) -- The Citrus College Football program is proud to announce that seven athletes have signed scholarship offers to continue their playing careers at the four-year level. Six of the seven athletes are all ready enrolled at their new institutions and participating in off-season workouts.
“We are very proud of all these guys,” said Head Football Coach Ron Ponciano. “They have all worked really hard over the past couple of seasons, and I know they will continue to represent the Fighting Owls well at the next level.”
Leading the signings is defensive back Christyn Lewis. Lewis became the first Fighting Owl to move on to a Big Ten school when he verballed and eventually signed with the University of Minnesota. Lewis was a 2nd team All-Central Conference honoree this past season in which he recorded 43 tackles, four interceptions and a team high six pass break-ups.
Moving on to the NCAA Division II level are four Fighting Owls. Both running back Isaac Tucker and linebacker Bronze Withem are with Southwestern Oklahoma State, while offensive lineman Eric Waltz has moved on to Panhandle State and quarterback Byron Ingram to Texas A & M Kingsville.
Tucker appeared in nine games for the Fighting Owls during the 2009 season, carrying the ball 69 times for 368 yard and 5.3 yards per carry average. Waltz was a two year starter at center for the Fighting Owls.
Withem was a 1st team All-Central Conference selection in 2008 as a freshman when he was Top 5 in the State in total tackles before sitting out this past season with an injury. In one season as the quarterback for Citrus, Ingram broke five offensive records including attempts and completions in both a game and a season. Both Ingram and Withem will have three years of remaining eligibility at their new schools.
The final two athletes to move on are wide receiver Matthew Rice (Bethel College) and linebacker Kevin Encinas (Waldorf College) who will both compete in the NAIA next season. Rice caught 22 passes for 256 yards and two TD’s, while Encinas recorded 19 tackles in two seasons for Citrus.