Henrikson named captain of Team Stars & Stripes in the 2011 Tazon de Estrellas

PUEBLA, Mexico — Senior Trygve Henrikson has been named team captain for Team Stars & Stripes for tomorrow's (Dec. 17) Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) in Puebla, Mexico.

The senior defensive lineman is one of four captains and one of two defensive players selected. He is just the second ONU player to be named captain as the other was current NFL player Jason Trusnik in 2006.

"Being named one of the team captains this week is a great honor. Maybe the biggest honor of my life to this day," Henrikson said. "I felt like I did a good job of leading this week, just trying to give it my best. Words can't describe how I feel. Everyone on our team is very talented and did what we need to do during practice. I'm excited about Saturday."

Henrikson is a three-year starter at defensive end and was named All-OAC for the second time this fall.

He finished the 2011 campaign second on the squad with 3.5 sacks and third with 6.5 TFL. He also collected 45 tackles on the year.

Henrikson was a Second Team All-OAC honoree as a junior in 2010.

"We spend some time talking to our players about being leaders on and off the field and I think Trygve has done a great job of that this week," ONU head coach and Team Stars & Stripes offensive coordinator Dean Paul said. "He has represented himself and Ohio Northern very well and I am proud of him."

Henrikson and senior back Chad Coward accepted bids to represent Northern and the country in this year's game.

The third annual Tazon de Estrellas will feature a team of NCAA Division III all-stars against a team of Mexican collegiate all-stars selected from the CONADEIP national conference of private schools in Mexico.

A total of 53 players from 28 NCAA Division III colleges were selected for the game, which will be played on Saturday at the 5,000-seat El Tempo del Dolor (The Temple of Pain) in Puebla at 1:30 p.m. CST.