Four Cavaliers Named to National Award Watch Lists

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Aug. 20, 1998

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Four members of the University of Virginia football team have been named to several “watch lists” for national awards this season.

Linebackers Wali Rainer and Byron Thweatt are among 68 players named to the initial list of candidates for the 1998 Butkus Award, presented annually to the nations outstanding linebacker by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando (Fla.).

Rainer, a senior from Charlotte, N.C., led the team last season with 118 tackles and nine quarterback sacks.

Thweatt, a sophomore from Chesterfield, Va., was named to the Freshman All-America team by The Sporting News last season after finishing the season with 97 tackles.

All-America safety Anthony Poindexter has been named to the “watch list” for the Bronko Nagurski Award given annually by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to the nations best defensive player. Poindexter, a senior co-captain from Forest, Va., has been named a first-team All-America selection by several publications this preseason and is 12th in the nation in tackles among active players.

Defensive tackle Antonio Dingle is on the “watch list” for the Outland Trophy, presented each year by the FWAA to the nations best interior lineman (either offense or defense). A senior from Fayetteville, N.C., he was a first-team All-ACC selection last season and led UVa defensive linemen with 48 tackles.