NAPERVILLE, Ill.- Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball freshman Luke Yoder (Normal, Ill.-Central Catholic) was chosen as Freshman of the Year in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, while sophomores Matthew Leritz (St. Louis, Mo.-St. Louis University HS) and Peter Lambesis (Mt. Prospect, Ill.-St. Viator) were selected to the All-CCIW squads, the league office announced Tuesday, Feb. 25. Leritz garnered first team honors and Lambesis landed on the second team.

With his selection, Yoder becomes the first Titan to be named the CCIW Freshman of the Year since the awards inception in 2013. Prior to a season-ending hand injury, the Normal, Ill. native appeared in 21 games, starting 14. He scored 218 points, averaging 10.4 per game. Additionally, his 88.5 free throw percentage is the second-best in the CCIW and is the top mark by a freshman in the country. 

Leritz burst onto the scene after working his way back from an offseason injury and has fueled the Titans in the second half of the season. The 6-foot-7 forward has played in 19 games, with five starts, while averaging 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest. Leritz has posted four 20+ point games, including a career-high 28-point, 11-rebound double-double at North Park, Feb. 19.

A second team awardee, Lambesis has been a "do it all" guy for the Titans this season. With injuries to the team's top two point guards, Lambesis has been thrust into the role in recent weeks and has risen to the challenge. He has dished out a team-best 58 assists while orchestrating the IWU offense and is averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.

Lambesis earned a second-team selection for the first time in his career. A key role point guard, he is averaging 11.7 points per game. Lambesis leads IWU with 67-85 free throws made, orchestrating a .729 FT percentage, 58 assists, and 34 steals. 

Illinois Wesleyan hosts a quarterfinal matchup with sixth-seeded Carthage College tonight, Feb. 25, inside the Shirk Center. Tipoff between the Titans and Red Men, who will meet for the second time in four days, is scheduled for 7 p.m.

2020 CCIW Postseason Awards

Fred Young Most Outstanding Player:  Connor Raridon - North Central
CCIW Coach of the Year: Todd Raridon - North Central
Freshman of the Year: Luke Yoder - Illinois Wesleyan

First Team
Pierson Wofford – Augustana*
Micah Martin – Augustana
Kienan Baltimore - Carthage
Jake Rhode – Elmhurst*
Matthew Leritz – Illinois Wesleyan
Matt Cappelletti – North Central*
Connor Raridon – North Central*
Nyameye Adom – Wheaton*
* Unanimous Selection

Second Team
Austin Elledge – Augustana
Nick Penny – Carroll
Derek Dotlich – Elmhurst
Lavon Thomas - Elmhurst
Peter Lambesis – Illinois Wesleyan
Blaise Meredith – North Central
Toby Marek – North Park
Tyson Cruickshank – Wheaton