University of Minnesota Athletics
HAMILTON AND GRUENING NAMED FOOTBALL NEWS FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
11/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Hamilton, considered one of the best offensive lineman to don a Minnesota football jersey, is also one of three finalists for the 2000 Lombardi Award which is presented to the nation's most outstanding lineman. He recorded 84 knockdowns this season and was an important factor in the Golden Gophers' running success. Hamilton and teammate Ron Johnson shared the Bronko Nagurski Award this year, which honors the team MVP. Hamilton was also the recipient of the Butch Nash Award for showing competitiveness on the field and in the classroom.
Following last season, Hamilton was named first-team All-America by the Associated Press, The Sporting News and CBS Sportsline. He was named to both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy "Watch Lists." Hamilton was also given the Paul Giel Award by the team for exhibiting total unselfishness and the most concern for the University of Minnesota community.
Gruening, who handled kickoff duties in 1999, has been one of Minnesota's breakout players this season. He has led the nation in punting average since the first week of the season, and currently has a 45.2-yard average. His first punt this season was a career-long 65-yarder vs. UL Monroe. Seventeen of Gruening's 46 punts have been for 50 or more yards, including four for more than 60 yards. Gruening, also responsible for holding on field goal and conversion attempts, connected on a 45-yard touchdown strike to Elvin Jones against Northwestern.
Gruening is a District V Academic All-America Finalist with a 3.35 grade point average in the prestigious Carlson School of Management, and is a two- time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
