Where good news shines

Colorado School of Mines left tackle Nic Van de Graaf on Thursday was named one of eight finalists for the Gene Upshaw Award, given annually to the best senior lineman in NCAA Division II football.

Van de Graaf is the fifth Upshaw Award finalist in program history and third in a row, joining 2023 winner Levi Johnson and finalists Matt Armendariz (2022), Grant Stewart (2019), and Mark Schiechl (2010).

Van de Graaf was named to the D2CCA All-Super Region 4 first team also on Thursday.

The Upshaw Award is nominated and voted on by the nation’s NCAA Division II sports information directors. Two finalists advance from each of the four super regions to a national ballot, which is then voted on nationally with the winner announced Dec. 12.

(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at [email protected].)