SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Susquehanna University record-setting split end Mark Bartosic has been named first-team All-South Region by Don Hansen’s Weekly Football Gazette, as voted upon by the region’s sports information directors.

Bartosic (Northumberland, PA/Shikellamy H.S.), a third-team member in 2001, is the first Crusader to earn first-team All-South honors since the late Randy Zook was selected as an offensive lineman in 2000.

He is a four-time first-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference selection who caught 78 passes for 1,313 yards and 13 touchdowns to lead the MAC in all three categories for the second straight season.

Bartosic became the first player in NCAA history at any level with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons on November 1 against Albright and is tied for second in Division III history with a catch in all 40 games of his career.

Bartosic ended his Crusader career with 275 catches for 4,733 yards and 55 touchdowns to rank second in Division III history in yards, tied for second in touchdowns and sixth in receptions. He also ranks fourth in all divisions in yards and tied for third in touchdown catches and is the MAC career leader in all three categories.

He was also selected as one of 42 NCAA Division III seniors to participate in the Aztec Bowl, which is sponsored by the American Football Coaches Association and pits a Division III all-star team against the Mexican National Team. However, Bartosic was forced to withdraw from the game due to a lingering ankle injury suffered early in the 2003 season.

As a first-team selection, Bartosic automatically qualifies for the national ballot used to choose the 2003 Football Gazette All-American team.

Wilkes running back Brett Trichilo was named the Offensive Player of the Year while Trinity (Texas) defensive lineman Jarrod Smith was the Defensive Player of the Year. Selected as the Special Teams Player of the Year was Scott Verhalen of East Texas Baptist while Mike Clark of Bridgewater (Va.) was named Coach of the Year.