MC’s Zigler, Bast receive national honor

Release Date: December 9, 2005

Justin Zigler

Ryan Bast

MONMOUTH, Ill. – While the offensive unit for Monmouth College got most of the headlines during the football team’s unbeaten regular season in 2005, the defense is now getting its due.

In its inaugural year of selecting all-region teams, D3football.com named Fighting Scots senior linebacker Justin Zigler (Tampico, Ill./Prophetstown) and classmate cornerback Ryan Bast (Lincoln, Ill./Lincoln) to the its All-West Region third team.

Zigler set the Scots’ single season record for tackles (115) and his 361 career stops shattered the old mark of 259 set by Justin Oertle from 1999-2002. A three-time all-conference performer, he was also named academic all-conference by the Midwest Conference this season. He has recorded 19-, 18- and 17-tackle games in his career, which are three of the top four performances in team history.

Bast tied the school record with 14 career interceptions. His season high came in 2004 when he picked off five passes. That was also his high year in tackles (44). He is a three-time all-conference selection.

Zigler and Bast had a hand in the school record for interception return touchdowns in a game. The two had returns for scores against Lake Forest in this year’s 34-0 win.

The Scots rolled to a 10-0 regular season, capturing their first conference title since sharing the crown in 1976 and their first outright championship since 1972. The conference title earned Monmouth a berth in the NCAA playoffs, their first in school history. During Zigler and Bast’s careers, the Scots compiled a 32-9 record.

“Ryan and Justin are very deserving of this honor,” said head coach Steve Bell. “This is really a culmination of their hard work over the past four years.

“Anytime our players get recognized at the national level, it’s an honor for the entire team,” he continued. “I’m very proud of Ryan and Justin for all they have contributed to the success of our program.”

The D3football.com All-West Region teams are selected in balloting by West Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff.