SPOKANE, Wash. – Based on a vote of NCAA Division III Sports Information Directors, Whitworth University forward Ryan Symes has been named to the 2008 D3hoops.com All-West Region First Team.

Ryan Symes

Symes, already named the 2008 Northwest Conference Player of the Year, led Whitworth to a second straight Northwest Conference championship and appearance in the NCAA Division III national tournament, where the Pirates advanced to the sectional semifinals.

Symes (Sr., Palo Alto, Calif. - Delta JC) averaged 19.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season and led Whitworth in scoring 19 times over the 28 game schedule. He led the NWC in free throw percentage (86.9%) and was named NWC Player of the Week on January 21st and February 18th this season. The only returning Whitworth starter from 2007, Symes was also one of only two players to repeat as a First Team All-NWC selection.

Symes saved some of his best career performances for the post season. Over the course of the NWC tournament championship game and the two NCAA Division III playoff games, Symes averaged 28.7 points per game, made 60.9% of his shots from the field (28-46) and 96.4% of his free throws (27-28). Symes finished his two-year Pirate career with 940 points.

Players on the D3hoops.com All-Region teams were nominated for these awards by the Sports Information Directors at the various schools. All SIDs in the region were given the opportunity to vote. Click here for the Complete All-West Region Team. Symes is now eligible for consideration on the D3hoops.com All-America Team.