Sparks, Md.----USA Lacrosse Magazine announced their Division II All-Americans Wednesday afternoon and the 10th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs had five players earn honors. Willie Grieco and Danny Riley are first team All-Americans, with Bobby Padden picking up third team honors. Mike DiLegge and Peyton Farley earn honorable mention All-American recognition. Wingate is one of only three teams in the nation with two first team All-Americans (along with Tampa and UIndy).

Grieco earns first team honors from USA Lacrosse Magazine for the second straight season, after also earning second team accolades from the USILA in 2021. The 2022 SAC Offensive Player of the Year leads the nation in points per game and assists per game. The junior has piled up 43 goals and 56 assists this year, adding 30 ground balls. He has registered four points or more in 15 of his 16 games this season, notching seven or more points on eight occasions. Grieco piled up six goals and six assists in the Queens win, while registering four goals and five assists in the Barton victory.

Riley also earns first team All-American honors for the second straight season. The junior earned first team accolades from the USILA and USA Lacrosse Magazine in 2021. Riley picked up first team All-SAC honors this year, collecting 36 goals and 12 assists to go along with 47 ground balls. Riley ranks second on the team in ground balls, third in points and assists and fourth in goals. He has multiple points in 13 of 16 games this year, compiling five goals and an assist in victories over Queens and Catawba.

Padden earns All-American recognition for the second straight year after collecting honorable mention accolades from the USILA in 2021. Padden has piled up 44 goals and 34 assists on the year, adding 36 ground balls. The senior ranks in the top 15 nationally in points per game and assists per game. Padden has multiple points in every game this season, notching five points or more on eight occasions. He had seven goals and two assists at Coker, while registering five goals and three assists at Barton.

DiLegge picks up All-American honors for the first time in his career. The senior long-stick middie has played a huge role in one of the top defenses in the nation. DiLegge has started every game this year, notching 16 caused turnovers and 39 ground balls, while also scoring a goal. DiLegge and the Bulldogs rank 11th nationally in scoring defense.

Farley picks up All-American recognition in his first season at Wingate. The freshman leads the Bulldogs with 23 caused turnovers this year, adding 35 ground balls and a pair of goals. Another key factor in one of the nation's top defenses, Farley had six CTs and seven ground balls in the Newberry win, while also piling up seven ground balls in the Limestone victory.

The Bulldogs are back in action Wednesday night, traveling to #7 Lindenwood for the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at 7 p.m. The winner advances to Sunday's region semifinal contest at Limestone.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and five doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 14 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.