VERMILLION, S.D.—University of South Dakota senior place-kicker Miles Bergner is one of 10 finalists for the 2016 Fred Mitchell Award, which honors the place-kicker who best excels both on the field and in the community.
 
The award is provided to place-kickers at all levels excluding the FBS. Bergner is one of three finalists from the FCS. The other seven represent NCAA Divisions II and III. The winner will be announced Dec. 13 and will be honored on Feb. 20, 2017, at the National Football Foundation Chicago Chapter Awards Ceremony at Halas Hall in suburban Chicago.
 
Bergner is the all-time leading scorer in USD history with 276 points. He made a program-record 56 field goals in his four seasons with the Coyotes. This season, he became the first player in Missouri Valley Football Conference history to be named both the first-team all-MVFC place-kicker and first-team all-MVFC punter. He made 14 of 18 field goals, all 41 extra-point tries, and led FCS in punting with a 47.5-yard average.
 
In the community, Bergner has volunteered the last four summers to help coach his high school football team back in Longmont, Colo. He has read to students at Jolley Elementary School in Vermillion on numerous occasions, and participated in numerous community service events with his teammates throughout the city. He also volunteers to instruct local high school place-kickers.
 
In alphabetical order, the 10 finalists for the 2016 Fred Mitchell Award are listed below:
 
Cole Antley, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
Miles Bergner, South Dakota
Matt Davis, UNC at Pembroke
Wyatt Ford, Ferris State (Mich.)
Will Gingery, Wittenberg (Ohio)
Nick Madonia, Tennessee Tech
David Marvin, Wofford (S.C.)
Drew Pearson, Wisconsin-Stout
Kramer Rath, Nebraska Wesleyan
Tyler Stolen, Buena Vista (Iowa)