Tjong, Bever named All-Region 4 by D3football.com

By Tim Glon

| 2023 All-Region 4 Team (.pdf) |

ADA — Senior defensive lineman Josh Bever (Ashland) and junior safety Dalton Tjong (Cumming, Ga./West Forsyth) were named All-Region 4 for 2023 by D3football.com.

Tjong was a First Team All-Region pick, while Bever received Third Team All-Region accolades.

Tjong closed out his junior season tied for first nationally in Division III in total tackles with 122 (50 solo, 72 assisted) and is now a two-time All-OAC selection after earning Second Team honors last year when he led the OAC and was 11th nationally with 110 tackles. In 10 games this season, he also tallied 2.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Tjong was twice named OAC Defensive Player of the Week this season. He posted seven games with double-digit tackles, including 21 against Alma (Mich.), which was two shy of the school's single-game record.

In 29 games at ONU, Tjong has 291 total tackles, which ranks seventh in program history, to go with 5.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and 12 pass breakups.

Bever is now a three-time All-Region honoree, earning Second team honors in 2021 and Third Team kudos in 2019.

He is also a five-time All-OAC selection, including three First Team honors. He was the only freshman in the league to earn First Team accolades in 2019 and was also recognized on the First Team in 2022.

Bever ranked second on the team with 66 total tackles (28 solo, 38 assisted) this season to go with team-bests in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (7). His tackles for loss and sack totals both rank fifth in the OAC.

In ONU's final game of the season, Bever set a school record with his 44th consecutive start. He ranks second all-time at ONU in career sacks (37) and tackles for loss (56) and ranks ninth in program history in total tackles (274).

The Polar Bears closed the 2023 season by winning three of their final four games, finishing 4-6 overall and sixth in the OAC with a 4-5 mark.