Pick a metal, any metal. All would describe Hawai'i linebacker Solomon Elimimian.

Iron? Elimimian has not missed a game in his four seasons as a Warrior.

Steel? That would be the composition of his determination, which helped him set the UH career record for tackles and put him in the not-too-distant range of the Western Athletic Conference mark.

Gold? That would be a Warrior tenure that was punctuated with yesterday's selection as the WAC's Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Linebacker Adam Leonard, defensive back Ryan Mouton and center John Estes also joined Elimimian as Warriors on the All-WAC first team. Defensive end David Veikune, defensive tackle Keala Watson and slotback Michael Washington were named to the second team.

"Well deserved, no question," UH linebackers coach Cal Lee said of Elimimian's selection.

Lee and associate head coach Rich Miano helped recruit Elimimian, whose older brother Abraham Elimimian was an All-WAC cornerback for UH.

"From Day 1, Solly's kind of done it," Miano said. "He's the school's all-time leading tackler, and he's a very good student. I think he epitomizes the student-athlete. He does well in school. He does well on the football field. He was good when he started, and he kept improving. He symbolizes what University of Hawai'i football is all about."

Elimimian said his UH career has been "a blessing."

"I thank God for it," Elimimian said. "He put me in a position where I could be successful. It all started four years ago when God made a decision for me to come here."

Elimimian also credited the coaches and teammates for helping him win the WAC honor.

"We have one of the best defensive lines in the league, I feel," Elimimian said. "They've done a great job of keeping (blockers) off of me, and letting me make a lot of plays."

Elimimian is completing work in his English major this semester. He needs to pass two classes in the spring to earn his bachelor's degree in eight semesters.

"Education is a big part of my family," Elimimian said. "My dad's a retired professor. ... In order for me to play football, I have to do well in school. I love school, and I love football. Education and football are both important to me."

While Elimimian has had a relatively injury-free career, Leonard has not been so fortunate. Several scholarship offers were withdrawn after Leonard suffered a torn knee ligament as a high school senior.

Leonard was used selectively as a UH freshman while he recovered from the injury. He was named the starting linebacker for the 2006 season opener. Despite another knee injury and fractures in both hands, Leonard missed only one game in the past three seasons.

"If I could go back and not have the injury happen to me, I would still love to be here," Leonard said. "I'm thankful it did happen so it could open the door for me to come to Hawai'i. It's been a true blessing."

Mouton has played cornerback, nickelback and free safety this season, as well as returned kickoffs. He emerged as the Warriors' best cover defender and blitzer. For two games, he was UH's best slotback.

"It feels good," he said of the honor. "It's a testament to the coaches. They helped me get to that level of play."

Estes, a fourth-year junior, has started every game the past three seasons. He was a guard as a freshman, but moved to center last year.

"I'm honored to be on that list with all of the other guys in the WAC, especially the guys on our team," Estes said.

But echoing his teammates' feelings, Estes was surprised — and disappointed — Veikune was not named to the first team. "Everybody knows he should be on the first team," Estes said.

The WAC coaches made the selections. There was a teleconference to discuss the candidates last week.

"I guess they didn't hear me because (Veikune) made second team," McMackin said. "If there's a better defensive end out there, I would beg to differ."