GRINNELL’S TERNES IS FINALIST FOR CLIFF HARRIS AWARD

Grinnell College Athletics

GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College’s David Ternes ’15 has gone from being on the “watch list” to a finalist for the prestigious Cliff Harris Award.

The Cliff Harris Award goes to the top small college defensive football player in the country. It was named for the player who helped the Dallas Cowboys to five Super Bowls while earning Pro Bowl recognition six times.

There are 49 finalists representing NCAA Division II and III, as well as the NAIA level.

Ternes, a 6-0, 231-pound linebacker from Oakley, Calif. (Freedom), was named to the All-Midwest Conference First Team after earning Second-Team honors in 2012. He was also a D3football.com Third-Team All-Region selection last season.

Ternes led the MWC and ranked fifth nationally in tackles this season with 13.0 per game, with 75 of his tackles being of the solo variety. He also was second in the league in fumble recoveries with two.

Additionally, Ternes intercepted two passes and had a sack to go along with a blocked kick.

The Cliff Harris Award winner will be honored Dec. 24 at the Little Rock Touchdown Club. Lou Holtz will be the guest speaker.