HONOLULU - University of Hawai`i football players Davone Bess, Samson Satele, and Lono Manners were named today to the first team All-Western Athletic Conference, voted on by the league's nine coaches.

Bess, a true freshman, was also named the league's Freshman of the Year. The product of Skyline High School in Oakland, Calif., led the WAC and is fifth in the country with 7.42 catches per game. He finished the season with 89 receptions for 1,124 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Also selected to the first team were Satele, an offensive lineman, and Manners, a defensive back.

Satele, a junior, anchored UH's front line for the No. 1 rated passing and total offense team in WAC. UH's is also ranked second in the country behind Texas Tech in passing.

Manners, a senior, finished the season third on the squad with 71 total tackles. He contributed two sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles, and recovered a fumble.

The Warriors also had five other players receiving second team All-WAC honors.

On the offensive side of the ball, offensive linemen Brandon Eaton, a senior, and Tala Esera, a junior, were recognized for their on-field achievements. The two were a part of a solid offensive line that produced was of the most prolific passing offenses in the nation.

Defensively, linemen Ikaika Alama-Francis, a junior, and Melila Purcell, a senior, along with senior linebacker Kila Kamakawiwo`ole garnered accolades. Alama-Francis posted 49 tackles and five sacks. Purcell was in on 34 tackles and a sack, while Kamakawiwo`ole amassed 80 tackles and 13.5 tackles for a loss.

All nine schools were represented on the first team while Hawai`i and Nevada placed a WAC-high five players on the second team.