Strand, Wendling selected to play in Valero Cactus Bowl 

by Alex Helmbrecht, Chadron State Sports Information Director

Chadron, Neb. - Chadron State's Beau Wendling and John Strand have been selected to play in the 2008 Valero Cactus Bowl, which will be played on Friday, Jan. 11 in Kingsville, Texas.

The Cactus Bowl, a Division II all-star game, will be played at Javelina Stadium on the campus of Texas A&M University - Kingsville. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised locally on Fox Sports Southwest.

The Cactus Bowl is played in an East/West format. The teams are comprised entirely of NCAA Division II college seniors. The Cactus Bowl Committee, comprised completely of volunteers, is responsible for all organizational aspects of the contest and the net profits from the Cactus Bowl are donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Both Strand and Wendling are on the West squad.

Strand, a 6-foot-8 offensive tackle from Imperial, Neb., has been a regular on the CSC offensive line the past three seasons. In those three years, Strand has helped the Eagles to a 28-8 record, including two consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships and undefeated seasons the past two yearss. This season with Strand at left tackle, the Eagle offense averaged 37.5 points a game, 216.6 rushing yards and 221.9 passing yards.

Individually, Strand accumulated many honors in 2007. He was on the RMAC all-conference and all-academic first teams, and he was also on the Daktronics All-Southwest Region First Team. Strand was also a nominee for the Gene Upshaw Trophy, which is given to the best lineman in Division II.

Wendling, a 6-3 cornerback from Rock Springs, Wyo., has helped anchor the Eagles' secondary as a starter the past two seasons. In his four-year career, Wendling accumulated 105 total tackles, four interceptions and 23 passes defended. Wendling, who finished 2007 with 42 total tackles, 12 pass breakups and one interception, was also named to the RMAC First Team.

This season, Wendling and the CSC defense posted some impressive marks. As a unit, the Eagles ranked fifth in scoring defense, allowing just 14.8 points, and the secondary allowed 210.7 yards a game and surrendered only 10 touchdowns through the air.

For the second-straight year the Eagles posted a 12-1 overall record. They also became the first team ever to win back-to-back RMAC titles with undefeated conference records. The Eagles also won a playoff game each of the past two years before falling to Northwest Missouri State in the regional championship clashes.

On the web: http://www.cactusbowl.org/