The University of Sioux Falls' Mike Hartley, a junior defensive lineman from Rapid City, was named to the 2008 Great Plains Athletic Conference football all-conference team following a vote of the league coaches.
Hartley finished the regular season with 11 total tackles, including six for loss and two sacks.
He was a standout player for St. Thomas More during his prep days in Rapid City, and has translated that success to Sioux Falls where he has been able to come up with several big plays to help the defense.
Hartley's play has helped Sioux Falls to the No. 2-ranking, the GPAC conference crown and a playoff date with No. 15 Saint Ambrose University (Iowa) in the first round of the NAIA Football Championship Series on Saturday. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
The Cougars knocked off No. 4 Morningside College, 34-31, on Nov. 15 at Bob Young Field in Sioux Falls to win the GPAC title. The win marks the Cougars' seventh GPAC conference title in eight seasons.
Sioux Falls spent the season ranked second in the polls.
