2 October 2000
CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206
 
 

Titans' Kasten Earns Preseason All-America Honors

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Sophomore Luke Kasten has earned honorable mention on the preseason Division III All-America basketball squad chosen in Street & Smith's College Basketball annual magazine.

A 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward from Hillsboro High School, Kasten was named to the second team of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin all-star squad as he set a school mark for scoring in a freshman season with 407 points, eclipsing the old mark of 362 by Sheldon Thompson in 1967-68.

Kasten averaged 16.3 points and a team-best 7.2 rebounds, while also leading the team with 28 blocks. He scored in double figures 19 times, including the final six games of the year, and had single-game highs of 27 points (vs. Roanoke in his first college game and vs. North Park), 15 rebounds and four assists (both vs. Wheaton). He was IWU's leading rebounder in 12 games and led IWU in scoring six times.

He is the son of Ron and Rhonda Kasten, 209 Grand Ave., Coffeen.

The Titans, who were 17-8 last season, are selected as a "Possible Breakthrough" team in Street & Smith's, while CCIW opponent Carthage is tabbed No. 9 and junior forward Jason Wiertel is a second team All-American selection.

Chicago, a non-conference opponent of IWU's on Nov. 25, is No. 10 in the Division III rankings, which are topped by William Paterson (N.J.) and defending champion Calvin (Mich.).