Athletic Report
December 30, 1999

MICHAEL WALTON NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICA BY FOOTBALL GAZETTE
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University junior middle linebacker Michael Walton (5’10”, 215 lbs., Earth, TX/Texas Tech Univ.) has been chosen to the First Team of the 1999 Football Gazette All-America Division II Football Team, as chosen by a committee for Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette. Walton was one of four linebackers — and one of 13 defensive players overall — named to the First Team.

The Football Gazette All-America selection is the fourth such award for Walton in 1999. He was recently named to the 1999 Burger King Division II Coaches’ All-America Team, the 1999 Daktronics, Inc. Division II All-America Football Team and the 1999 Associated Press Little All-America Team.

He was also named to four All-America teams last year, including a Second Team spot on the 1998 Football Gazette All-America Team. He was named Third Team All-America by Football Gazette in 1997. Walton’s other All-America honors from last year were the Burger King Division II Coaches’ All-America Team (First Team), the Daktronics, Inc. Division II All-America Football Team (Second Team) and the Associated Press Little All-America Team (Second Team).

Walton earned 147 tackles this year, including 89 unassisted tackles, 58 assists, 22 tackles for losses and 7.0 quarterback sacks. He finished his career with 515 total tackles (214 solo, 301 assists). He made 58 career tackles for losses (246 yards lost) and registered 15.0 QB sacks (119 yards lost).

Walton was nominated for the Harlon Hill Award, which is the NCAA Division II equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. He was the Lone Star Conference South Division Defensive Lineman-of-the-Year in 1998 and was named First Team All-LSC South in 1997 and 1998. He was chosen Second Team All-Conference in 1999.

During four seasons at ENMU, Walton started every game and led the team in tackles each year. He recorded 96 tackles to lead the Greyhounds during his freshman season, then led the team and the LSC with 155 tackles as a sophomore.

Last year, he provided 117 tackles to lead the conference. This year’s 147 tackles moved him past the 500-tackle mark, as he become Eastern’s all-time leading tackler.

Walton has also excelled in the classroom. He was named to the LSC All-Academic Team each of his final three seasons (1997, 1998, 1999). He was voted to the GTE Academic All-District First Team this season.