Adams Grad Josh Renel Named WSU Athlete of the Year

The following news was released by Wayne State University.

Wayne State University Director of Athletics Rob Fournier announced today the 2011-12 Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year. Candidates were judged on academic distinction, athletic accomplishments, individual involvement and University and community service, as well as coaches' recommendation.

Senior swimmer Catherine Leix of Flint and senior football running back Josh Renel, a graduate of Adams High School, were selected as the 2011-12 female and male student-athletes of the year after being nominated by their respective coaches with voting by the athletic department's coaches and administrative staff.

"In a year when we celebrated a national championship and a runner-up national championship, it is no wonder the athletic department voted Catherine and Josh as our respective Student-Athletes of the Year,” said Fournier. “Their contributions were impressive -- not only in achieving those national performances but their work in the classroom as Academic All-Americans and in the community set an example we should acknowledge.”  

Renel, selected to the Hansen's Football Gazette All-America Third Team as an all-purpose back and D2Football.com Honorable Mention All-America also as an all-purpose back, was the recipient of the 2011 GLIAC's Jack McAvoy Award which is presented annually to the GLIAC football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

The Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team selection, Renel was a national semifinalist for the William Campbell Trophy and a nominee for the AFCA Good Works Team.  He also received membership into 2012 NFF (National Football Foundation) Hampshire Honor Society.  He carried a 3.52 cumulative grade-point average in marketing.

Renel concluded his career with the highest punt return average (11.7) in WSU history.  He was second in all-purpose yards (5,595), punt returns (67) and punt return yards (784), third in rushing yards (2,767), kickoff returns (64), kickoff return yards (1,600) and kickoff return average (25.0), fifth in rushing touchdowns (28), tied-for-fifth in touchdowns (32), sixth in rushing attempts (533), tied-for-sixth in points (192), and seventh in average yards per rush (5.2).