CSU Pueblo's Reggie Retzlaff was named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award on Wednesday. (Courtesy CSU Pueblo Athletics)
Where good news shines
Reggie Retzlaff is in rare air -- which is where he made many of his catches this season.
The CSU Pueblo wide receiver was named one of eight finalists for the Harlon Hill Award Wednesday. It's NCAA Division II football's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
What makes Retzlaff's honor so impressive? The Corona, Calif., native is the only wide receiver on the list of finalists. The others are quarterbacks (five) and running backs (two).
CSU-Pueblo, Western Colorado earn berths into 2024 DII football playoffs | Colorado Sunshine
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A panel of 177 school and conference sports information directors will select the 38th Harlon Hill winner.
Retzlaff is the first ThunderWolves player to be named a finalist for the award since Cameron McDondle in 2015. Retzlaff helped the Pack to a 10-2 record and the program's first outright RMAC title since 2015.
His historic season included the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year award after Retzlaff led the league in receiving touchdowns (12) and receiving yards per game (116.9).
He also set school records with 67 receptions and 1,228 yards. He led all Colorado players -- regardless of level -- in receiving yards. He recorded 20 plays of 20-plus yards.
("Colorado Sunshine" celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at paul.klee@gazette.com.)