Hayden Biegel selected to receive Joe Thomas Award
Wisconsin Sports Network and WisSports.net are happy to announce Hayden Biegel of Wisconsin Rapids as the 2012 recipient of the Joe Thomas Award as the most outstanding senior offensive lineman in Wisconsin, part of the WSN Senior Football Awards presented by Taco Bell.
Biegel was a First Team All-State pick last season after helping the Raiders to the Division 1 title game, but really came into his own this year after adding weight and strength to his 6-6 frame. He earned a scholarship offer from Wisconsin and gave the Badgers a verbal commitment over the summer.
“When we needed yards / a play this season, we ran behind Hayden,” said Rapids head coach Tony Biolo. "He was our teams best blocker and is the best lineman we have had come through the system. Hayden has an edge about him that really makes him a good offensive lineman.
"His footwork and strength make him a tremendous blocker in the middle as well as on the edge.”
Hayden's brother Vince, now at Wisconsin, won the John Anderson Award as the state's top linebacker last year.
Finalists for the award were Biegel, Kenosha Bradford's Graham Bullmore, Lakeside Lutheran's Jake Gronholz, Appleton North's Stephen Idlas, and Waunakee's Jacob Ohnesorge.
Past winners include Waunakee's Jake Irwin (2009), Wisconsin Rapids' Frank Vruwink (2010), and Waukesha West's Connor Stefanski (2011).
The award is named after Joe Thomas, a graduate of Brookfield Central High School now playing in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. Thomas was a three-sport athlete in high school, lettering all four years in football, basketball, and track and field while also being named to the Honor Roll all four years. He started 37 games at left tackle for the Badgers and won the Outland Trophy after his senior season. Thomas was drafted 3rd overall by the Browns in 2007, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of his first two seasons.
The voting panel for the WSN Senior Football Awards consisted of: Travis Wilson, WSN Content Manager and Head Football Writer; Nicholas Kartos, WSN President and Founder; Norbert Durst, WSN Content Producer; Dennis Semrau, Wisconsin State Journal; Justin Hull, WSCO The Score 95.3 in Appleton; John Casper Jr., La Crosse Tribune; Dan Barwick, WSN Associate Content Producer
