Yaple Earns Second "Iron Warrior" Award
2007 Captains Named

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.—Lycoming College junior defensive end Ryan Yaple (Stillwater, PA/Northwest) earned a unique honor during the Warriors’ most recent off-season conditioning program. In a competition open to all of his blue and gold teammates, Yaple was tabbed as the 2007 Iron Warrior of the Year. It was the second year in a row that Yaple earned the honor.

The award is based on a point system for six events: bench press, squat lift, shuttle run, broad jump, vertical jump and 40-yard dash. The system is set up to reward all-around athletes, not just the fastest or the strongest.

At 6’0”, 225 pounds, Yaple tied for first in the squat, lifting 605 pounds. His 26 bench press reps of 225 pounds were second-most on the team as two players put up 28 reps. Yaple placed in the top five with his 9’ and one-half inch broad jump and his 33” vertical. His shuttle time was 4.2 seconds, while his 40-yard dash was an impressive 4.59. All of his 2007 marks topped his 2006 totals.

“Ryan is such a hard worker,” said assistant coach A.C. Cruz who runs the Warrior off-season program, “He is a ‘total athlete.’”

Yaple played defensive end for the Warriors this past season, moving from linebacker in 2005. He made 30 total tackles, including 21 solo stops. He had 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks on the year. Yaple also forced a fumble and recovered one.

Yaple was recently named one of Lycoming’s five co-captains for the upcoming season. He joins tight end Steve Bilous (Camp Hill, PA), receiver Bill Margetich (Glenolden, PA), fullback Ryan Dixon (Dalton, PA) and offensive lineman Andy Marino (Feasterville, PA) in the honor. All will be seniors in 2007, except for Marino, who will be a junior.

Head coach Frank Girardi remarked, “Personally, I’m very happy with our selection (of captains). These are players that have that intense desire to succeed. And I believe it’s going to have a positive effect on our football team.”

The Warriors open at home with Ithaca on September 1.