The National Collegiate Dodgeball Association continues to expand at a rapid pace. As the number of teams and players in the league increases, so does the competition to make the All-American Team. As we have reached the end of the 15th season of College Dodgeball, it is time to announce the players who have earned a spot on this year’s list. Congrats to all the fantastic players who made the cut!
1) Brandon Meisel (MVP)
Grand Valley State University
Brandon Meisel caps off another great season as the captain for GVSU with a well deserved Most Valuable Player honor. Meisel was the top player in College Dodgeball this year, leading GVSU to a near perfect season. His powerful arm, great hands, and second-to-none dodgeball instincts made him one of the most exciting players to watch this year, and a nightmare for any opponent the Lakers faced. Meisel caps off his career as a 3-time 1st-Team All American, coming in at #7, #2, and now #1 during his final 3 seasons in the league. More importantly, he will graduate as a 3-time NCDA National Champion for GVSU. All things considered, you would be hard pressed to find many dodgeball players who accomplished more during their college careers than Brandon Meisel.
2) Jordan Watt
Towson University
There’s not much that can be said about Jordan Watt that hasn’t already been said. He proved on countless occasions against the best competition why he was one of the best in college dodgeball this season. Whether it was the dominating 6-1 win over JMU at the start of the season or when he had more kills individually than MSU’s entire team combined during the Final Four, Watt essentially made himself the pseudo “Offensive Player of the Year”. To cap it off, he helped lead his team to their first ever championship. Congrats to this gunslinger from Maryland.
3) Tom Morand
Miami University
Tom Morand was catapulted into stardom with his undeniable skill and charisma on the dodgeball court. The MVP for Ohio is on this list for a reason. Tom led the Miami Redhawks to an incredible season and Nationals finish. Tom dominated the likes of Towson and Central Michigan in multiple points this season. One of the few returning players on this list, Tom will surly be a front runner for MVP come next year.
4) Austin Brege
Central Michigan University
Austin Brege caps off his final season in the college game with a second straight 1st-Team All-American honor. Brege had an outstanding season for the Central Michigan Chippewas, in a year where they replaced nearly their entire starting lineup. His powerful arm and perfectly placed throws were crucial to CMU’s offense all season, and his catching instincts were much improved as well this year. Brege will go down as one of the best CMU players to ever play the game, and with the way he performed during the second half of the season, it’s a bit of a surprise he didn’t land higher on this list. Congrats to Brege on a great senior season, and a fantastic career.
5) Kyle Bruce
Saginaw Valley State University
Kyle Bruce earns the number 5 spot on the 2019 All-American Team after anchoring a strong SVSU squad in his final season. Bruce’s dodgeball instincts can’t be taught. His ability to navigate the middle of the court and dictate the pace of the game for his team is something few players have mastered. Bruce had a great season fro Saginaw Valley State, as one of their most dependable throwers, and of course an incredibly tough out due to his ability to drop down for a catch as effectively as anyone in the league. Bruce’s skill and experience will be greatly missed by the Cardinals next season.
6) Aaron Krafft
Grand Valley State University
Aaron Krafft closes out an illustrious career for Grand Valley State with 3 NCDA National Titles and 2 1st-Team All-American distinctions to his name. Known as one of the most well-rounded players in the game during his career, Krafft once again was a steady force leading GVSU during the 2018-19 season. The first rookie to ever make the Overtime 6 for a GVSU team, Krafft has been a star for each of his four seasons. With Krafft graduating this year, GVSU will have to replace his production by committee, as it is unlikely to find many players who can be as effective as him. Congrats Aaron on an impressive career, you will go down as one of the greats for GVSU.
7) Ben Smart
Grand Valley State University
Perhaps the best way to emphasize Ben Smart’s known legacy throughout the league is to go back and look at the “Build your overtime roster with $20” post, and seeing the number of people who wanted Smart on their lists. There was even one person who said let me buy 6 Smart’s and then a bag of popcorn. Even though he’s deceptively athletic, there’s nothing deceiving about his skills. With an ability to catch anything within 5 feet of him and an accurate throw, Smart will be remembered with other GVSU legends of the past.
8) Payton Schuster
Michigan State University
You would be hard-pressed to find a more intense player on the court than Payton Schuster. Everything about his game screams passion. Even throwing open palm most of the season, Schuster has one of the most dominating arms in recent memory, when he decide to pinch, he was able to demolish Towson in an overtime thriller in Akron. Despite the youth of the Spartan roster, Payton was able to mold MSU into a final four contender, and overcome the odds to lead his team to a great season.
9) Evan Eschenburg
James Madison University
The captain for JMU had yet another “Evan Eschenburg” type season. He did it all over the course of the year for the Dukes, and once again led them to be one of the top teams in the country. He didn’t have the chance to show out at Nationals, but he proved his ability to catch, play well in transition, and gun down opponents time and time again over the course of this year. Unfortunately for anybody that plays against him, but fortunately for JMU, he’ll be coming back next year for one last ride. He’s the front runner for next year’s East Coast MVP, as well as a leading candidate for MVP of the entire league with most of the guys ahead of him graduating and a bright future next year for the Dukes.
10) Max Kowalski
Bowling Green State University
Max caps off his incredible career for the BGSU falcons as a 2019 All-American. One of the most deserving players in all the league, Max led his team through an injury-ridden season to bring them back to the another Elite 8. With incredible court awareness, matched with his powerful downward throw and uncanny catching ability, Max will leave a legacy as undoubtedly the greatest player to pass through Bowling Green.
11) David Guare
Towson University
The captain of Towson impressed many fans during the regular season with how well he lead his squad and his high dodgeball IQ on the court. I distinctly remember after their first tournament of the year telling members of the NCDA’s content team “this guy is a front-runner for East Coast MVP”. While nothing about Guare’s game is overpowering, he filled an incredibly crucial role for Towson this past season by protecting teammates throughout games with incredible blocking skills and also picking off opponents with cross court precision.
12) Casey Bielec
Central Michigan University
Casey was one of the few returning stars for a CMU team that made it to the championship game last year, and he, along with Austin Brege, were tasked with “rebuilding” the Chips after they lost many seniors. While not being the outspoken leader like his teammate Brege, Casey let his play do the talking. He occupied the sidelines well, and used his experience to visualize everything on the court and take advantage of opportunities when they appeared. Casey capped off his season with a fantastic performance at Nationals which helped earn him his All-American spot.
Stay tuned for the 2nd Team All-American list dropping next week!
