This story was produced by NMU Sports Information
MARQUETTE---Northern Michigan seniors Shaye Brown, Jared Vuksan, C.J. Washington and MattBoonstra were voted by their teammates to serve as the football team's captains in 2016.
"Our four captains have done such a great job of being leaders on and off the field," said head coach Chris Ostrowsky. "They're truly ingrained into what it means to do things the Wildcat way. The culture is secured, and we're excited to get started Thursday afternoon."
Brown is set to rewrite the Wildcat record book in 2016. The quarterback enters his senior year with 6,927 passing yards and 52 touchdowns. With 404 yards and two scores, he will claim sole possession of the career passing yards and touchdown records. Last season, he set the Northern Michigan single-season touchdowns (30) and passing yards (3,123) records.
Vuksan has been a fixture on the Wildcat defensive line over the past three seasons, logging 28 games and 85 tackles. He had his best statistical season as a junior, posting 38 tackles, three sacks, 4.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Like Brown and Vuksan, Washington is a three-year starter. The defensive back has recorded 105 tackles, two interceptions and 16 pass break-ups in 28 career games. In 2015, he set career highs in tackles (48) and pass break-ups (12).
Boonstra rounds out the Northern Michigan leadership group. The linebacker had a banner year in 2015, registering 44 tackles, two tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles. He reached the 10-tackle plateau in three games, including against No. 3 Ferris State.
Three of the four captains, Brown (Fenton), Vuksan (Gladstone) and Boonstra (Rockford), hail from Michigan. Brown, Vuksan and Washington were named to the 2015 all-GLIAC honorable mention squad. Brown was also a 2014 all-GLIAC honorable mention selection.
The Wildcats open the 2016 campaign at Lake Erie Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. They host Angelo State in their home opener Sept. 10 at 4 p.m.
