ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- James Wheeler, a junior midfielder on the Nazareth men's soccer team, was the Golden Flyers' lone first-team representative with the announcement of the Empire 8 Conference all-star teams. The teams were selected through voting by the league's head coaches.

In addition to Wheeler, junior forward Luke Elston and junior midfielder Ryan Foley were named to the second team and senior defender Jimmy Gaffney made honorable mention. Freshman Brandon Miles was Nazareth's representative as Sportsman of the Year.

Wheeler, of Maccelsfield, England, was Nazareth's leading scorer in 2012 with 27 points on 10 goals and seven assists. He broke the Nazareth career assist record in 2012 and ranks 10th all-time in career scoring with 54 points on 17 goals, 20 assists. He also was a first-team selection in 2011.

Elston, of Somerset, England, was second in scoring with 21 points on nine goals, three assists. He was an honorable mention selection to the E8 all-star team in 2011.

Foley, of Waterford, Ireland, was third in scoring in 2012 with 14 points on four goals, six assists. He also was a second-team all-conference pick in 2011 and was recognized earlier this year on the CoSIDA Academic all-district team.

Gaffney, of Hilton, N.Y. and a graduate of Hilton High School, started all 16 games for the Golden Flyers in 2012 and contributed two goals.

Empire 8 2012 Men's Soccer All-Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Victor Daza, Stevens
Rookie of the Year: Wendell Ming, Elmira
Doug May Coach of the Year: Rob Searl, St. John Fisher
 
First Team                                                    
Backs
Ryan Norland, Sr. Ithaca
Leonardo Casas, Jr. Stevens
Zeke Hemme, Jr. Stevens
 
Midfielders
Jared Toth, Jr. Houghton
James Wheeler, Jr. Nazareth
Zach Adler, Sr. Stevens
Curtis Stecyk, Jr. Stevens
 
Forwards
Ernesto Valverde, Jr. Elmira
Tim Goldman, So. Ithaca
Victor Daza, Sr. Stevens
Stephen Dunbar, Jr. Stevens
 
Goalkeeper
Paul Killian, Jr. Stevens
 
Second Team
Backs
Michael Dix, Sr. Houghton
Sean Fishel, Sr. St. John Fisher
Harrison Kane, Fr. Stevens
Dj Ilebani, Sr. Utica
 
Midfielders
Jeffery Thomas, Jr. Alfred
Wendell Ming, Fr. Elmira
Jack Shirley, Sr. Ithaca
Ryan Foley, Jr. Nazareth
 
Forwards
Andre Germano, So. Elmira
Luke Elston, Jr.  Nazareth
Jake Quattrini, Jr. St. John Fisher
Kevin McAllister, Jr. Utica
 
Goalkeeper
Kyle Metcalfe, Jr.  St. John Fisher
 
Honorable Mention
Backs
Matthew Feldman, Jr.  Elmira
John Carpenter, Jr.  Houghton
Dan Shirley, Sr.  Ithaca
Jimmy Gaffney, Sr.  Nazareth
Austin Buckley, Sr.  St. John Fisher
Matthew Riley, Sr.  Stevens
 
Midfielders
Michael Amico, Sr.  Houghton
Josh Tomko,  Jr. St. John Fisher
Kevin Calloway, So. Stevens
Daniel Garcia, Sr.  Utica
 
Forwards
Frankie Mannino, Sr. Alfred
Paul Seddon,  Jr.  Houghton
Garhett Varin, Sr.  St. John Fisher
 
Goalkeeper
Kenny Chapman, Fr.  Ithaca
 
Sportsman of the Year
Rigel Johnson, Sr.  Alfred
Cameron Ware, Sr.  Elmira
Michael Dix, Sr. Houghton
Dan Shirley, Sr. Ithaca
Brendan Miles, Fr. Nazareth
Josh Tomko, Jr. St. John Fisher
Kevin Calloway, So.  Stevens
Daniel Garcia, Sr. Utica