Running back Sam Sura of St. John's was named the MIAC's MVP in football, and the Johnnies' Gary Fasching the conference coach of the year.

Sura, a junior from South St. Paul, led the nation in rushing yards in the regular season. After one playoff game, he has 1,752 yards rushing — a school record — and 19 touchdowns. He is averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

St. John's won the MIAC title with a 7-1 record in Fasching's second season as coach. The Johnnies are 10-1 overall.

Augsburg's Chris DeVet, a senior from Shoreview, was named the league's top interior lineman. DeVet had 5½ sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

St. John's had the most first-team all-conference picks with eight; St. Thomas and Bethel had seven apiece.

Banham in spotlight

The early-season recognition for senior guard Rachel Banham keeps coming. A day after being named to the Wooden Award preseason top 30, she was named to the 25-player Wade Watch list by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.

It is made up of players who best embody the spirit of the late Lily Margaret Wade, the legendary coach at Delta State.

Banham has averaged 19.7 points and 7.3 assists in the Gophers' first three games.

Making a splash

Minnesota women's swimming and diving teammates Kierra Smith and Brooke Zeiger were named Big Ten swimmer and co-freshman of the week, respectively, for their performances at the 2014 Arena Grand Prix at Minneapolis.

Smith, a junior, swam the 200 breaststroke in 2:05.12, currently the fastest time in the nation. She broke the Minnesota school record in the event. Brooke has the second-fastest 400 IM in the nation (4:09.42) and third-fastest 500 freestyle (4:39.50).

Etc.

• The Gophers remain No. 1 in InterMat's team and tournament wrestling rankings. Iowa is second in both. Three Gophers are No. 1 at their weights: Dylan Ness at 157 pounds, Logan Storley at 174 and Scott Schiller at 197.

• Minnesota State Mankato's Da'Wayne Robinson was named the NSIC wrestler of the week. The junior from Mesa, Ariz., went 3-0 to win the 125-pound title in the Auggie-adidas Open last Saturday.