RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) announced their 2024 All-Central Region Teams and Concordia-St. Paul's senior Nick Thimsen and junior Bennett McCollow were named to the second team. Thimsen was recognized as an outfielder, and McCollow earned designated hitter recognition.
 
With this achievement, Thimsen and McCollow etched their names as the ninth and 10th members of the program to be named to the second team. They are the first individual's recognized since Gus Varland in 2018 and extend the NCBWA All-Region total to 14 for the Golden Bears.
 
The NSIC was well represented, with 11 players from six institutions honored, including Player of the Year Jack Hines from Augustana (S.D.). The Vikings led the way with four selections, while CSP and St. Cloud State tabbed the second-most with two.
 
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball.Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport; Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy (Player of the Year), Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting; The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-American awards, publication and writing contests.  
#23 Nick Thimsen (OF, 6-1, 198, Sr., R/R, Minnetonka, Minn. / Minnetonka HS)
-2024 NCBWA All-Central Region Second Team
-2024 All-NSIC First Team
-2021 All-NSIC Second Team
-NCBWA Central Region Player of the Week (3/28/2024)
-NSIC Player of the Week (2/20/2024)
-Slashed .415/.485/.715 in 51 starts for the Golden Bears
-Collected 81 hits, including 19 doubles and 13 home runs
-Added 60 RBIs, 59 runs and 20 walks
-Collected a four home run game against UMC, which is the most on record for CSP baseball
 
#21 Bennett McCollow (IF, 5-10, 190, Jr., R/R, Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson HS)
-2024 NCBWA All-Central Region Second Team
-2024 NSIC Newcomer of the Year
-2024 All-NSIC First Team
-2024 NSIC All-Tournament Team
-NSIC Player of the Week (5/6/2024)
-Slashed .424/.511/.696 in 51 games for the Golden Bears
-Tallied 81 hits, including 18 doubles, 10 home runs and two triples
-Added 64 runs, 52 RBIs and 25 walks
-Hit for the cycle against Minnesota Duluth and collected a grand slam against Sioux Falls
   
Pitcher of the Year - Connor Wolf (Central Missouri)
 
Player of the Year - Jack Hines (Augustana)
 
Coach of the Year - Kyle Crookes (Central Missouri)
 
 
First Team
 
Catcher - Troy Shields (Oklahoma Baptist)
 
First Base - Dylan Bradford (Northwestern Oklahoma)
 
Second Base - Isiah Lissade (Oklahoma Baptist)
 
Third Base - Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo (Pittsburg State)
 
Shortstop - Jack Hines (Augustana)
 
Outfield - Brennen van Breusegen (Central Missouri)
 
Carter Young (Central Missouri)
 
Camden Tanner (Arkansas-Monticello)
 
Payton McHarg (Washburn)
 
Designated Hitter - Alex Schroeder (Oklahoma Baptist)
 
Utility - Cash Jay (Washburn)
 
Starting Pitcher  - Cole Gayman (Missouri Southern)
Connor Wolf (Central Missouri)
Maddox Long (Harding)
Ashton Michek (Augustana)
 
Relief Pitcher - Valek Cisneros (Central Oklahoma)
Grant Shahan (Arkansas Tech)
 
 
Second Team
 
Catcher - Nixon Brannan (Pittsburg State)
 
Drey Dirksen (Augustana)
 
First Base - Josh Patrick (Central Missouri)
 
Second Base - Tyson Fourkiller (Northeastern State)
 
Third Base - Cal James (St. Cloud State)
 
Shortstop - Henry Kusiak (Missouri Southern)
 
Outfield - Nick Thimsen (Concordia-St. Paul)
 
Carter Thomas (Wayne State)
 
Jackson Syring (Southwestern Oklahoma)
 
Keaton Ranallo (Arkansas Tech)
 
Designated Hitter - Bennett McCollow (Concordia-St. Paul)
 
Utility - Drew Townsend (Missouri Southern)
 
Starting Pitcher - Caleb Saari (Augustana)
 
Luke Tupy (St. Cloud State)
 
Chase Oberle (Ouachita Baptist)
 
Kolby Kiser (Southwest Minnesota)
 
Relief Pitcher - Mark Schommer (UMary)
 
Will Horton (Arkansas Tech)