Heart-Wilkins named MIAA Most Valuable Defensive Player, 10 players earn All-MIAA honors
FREELAND, Mich. – Olivet College senior defensive lineman Ta’Mar Heart-Wilkins has been named the 2020-21 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Defensive Most Valuable Player. Joining him on the All-MIAA First Team are Akeem Benjamin, Deonte Higgins, Anthony Merriman, Andrew Sikkema, Jeremiah Sterling and Seth Young. Earning All-MIAA Second Team honors are David Curl, Brendan Sine and Spencer Tyler.
FREELAND, Mich. – Olivet College senior defensive lineman Ta'Mar Heart-Wilkins has been named the 2020-21 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Defensive Most Valuable Player. Joining him on the All-MIAA First Team are freshman wide receiver Akeem Benjamin, freshman return specialist Deonte Higgins, junior defensive back Anthony Merriman III, senior offensive lineman Andrew Sikkema, freshman running back Jeremiah Sterling and junior tight end Seth Young. Earning All-MIAA Second Team honors are sophomore defensive lineman David Curl, sophomore punter Brendan Sine and freshman linebacker Spencer Tyler.
Heart-Wilkins recorded 18 total tackles, including 13 solo stops. He had 8.5 tackles for loss, with five quarterback sacks for 30 yards to go along with three fumble recoveries.
Benjamin caught 11 passes for a team-high 260 yards and five touchdowns. Higgins averaged 25.6 yards on 10 kickoff returns. He also had three receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Merriman, a 2019 All-MIAA First Team selection, recorded 16 total tackles, with 13 solo stops. He also tallied five pass break-ups, including two interceptions.
Sikkema started the first three games at right guard before moving over to start at center for the final game. He blocked for an offense, which averaged 239.8 yards and 28.2 points per game. Sterling had 37 carries for 282 yards and two touchdowns. Of his 37 carries, none went for negative yardage.
Young, a 2019 All-MIAA Second Team pick, snagged a team-best 13 passes for 147 yards. Curl also registered 18 total tackles, including 3.5 quarterback sacks for 12 yards. Sine posted a 37.9 average on 13 punts. Five of his punts landed inside the opponent's 20-yard line and two covered more than 50 yards. Tyler finished his first season in the Red and White with 15 tackles.
The Comets are scheduled to open the 2021 season Sept. 11 when it travels to play Eureka (Ill.) College. One week later, Sept. 11, Olivet hosts Manchester (Ind.) University for its home-opener. The Comets start MIAA play on Oct. 2 when they play at Alma College.