Cooley, Julian Named to MASCAC All-Conference First Team
Westfield State sophomore linebacker and senior safety and punt returner Christian Julian were both named to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team.
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State sophomore linebacker Tyler Cooley (Randolph, Mass.) and junior safety and punt returner Christian Julian (Hingham, Mass.) each earned placement on the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference First Team Defense and Offense for this past season.
In his first season with the Owls, Cooley was named to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team-Defense. He led the conference with 118 total tackles and 11.8 tackles per game, serving as an anchor for the Westfield defense. The sophomore linebacker was also one of seven players in the MASCAC to record two forced fumbles. Cooley racked up double digit tackles in seven of ten games, including a season-high 20 tackles against Bridgewater. He wrapped up the regular season with his first interception as an Owl while also registering 11 tackles to guide Westfield to a shutout win over Fitchburg. Cooley is the youngest member of the All-Conference First Team-Defense as all other selections were of junior or senior class.
Julian received MASCAC recognition on the All-Conference First Team-Offense as one of the top return specialists in the conference. He assumed the main responsibilities in the kicking and return game, totaling 14 punt returns for 209 yards (14.9 yards per return). He also received ten kickoffs for an average of 19.0 yards per return. Julian capped off a stellar season with the Westfield special teams unit by scoring a 73-yard punt return touchdown in the Owls 50-0 victory over Fitchburg State in the final game of the regular season. Aside from his performance on special teams, Julian was a key piece of the Owls secondary, generating the second most pass breakups (12) on the team while finishing top five in tackles (52.0).
After dropping a few closely contested games throughout the season, the Owls concluded the 2022 campaign with consecutive victories against Worcester State (28-18) and Fitchburg State (50-0) to give Westfield a seventh-place finish within the MASCAC with a final record of 2-8 overall and a mark of 2-6 in conference play.