SUNY Potsdam junior Rashaun Durden earned an honorable mention spot on the 2011 United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division III All-America team, the organization announced Tuesday, May 24.

Durden, a captain from Buffalo, N.Y., is the Bears’ third All-American in the last 10 years, following in the footsteps of Ryan Hanretty (2005) and Brian Austin (2001). Durden is the first junior to accomplish the feat in 17th-year coach Rick Berkman’s tenure at Potsdam.

“This award is a direct reflection of the season he had as an individual and him being named conference player of the year,” Potsdam coach Rick Berkman said. “It’s a great honor for both him and the program. It gives us a lot to look forward to for next season when he returns as a senior captain.”

Durden received State University of New York Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors after leading the Bears to the SUNYAC Tournament championship game and a second-place finish in the league during the regular season. The defenseman played in all 17 games, starting 16, and picked up 12 ground balls while causing 10 turnovers.

Throughout the season, Durden embraced the challenge of containing the opposition’s top scoring threat and succeeded in gaining the respect of his fellow players and coaches.

“Rashaun is a great leader on and off the field,” Berkman said. “He practices 100 percent every day and does a great job assigned to the opponent’s best scorer.”

To see a complete list of USILA All-Americans, visit: http://www.usila.org/allamer.html.