May 2, 2003

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Four seniors - fullback Nyle Chambers, quarterback Josh Shimek, linebacker Lann Olson and linebacker Brett Thompson - have been named captains of the 2003 Western Washington University football team. Making that announcement was Vikings' head coach Rob Smith.

Chambers (Sumner) was a second-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference choice in 2001 when he ran for 567 yards and five touchdowns. Last year, hampered by bruised ribs, he netted just 156 yards.

Olson (Chehalis/W.F.West) was a first-team D2football.com West Region all-star and unanimous first-team GNAC all-star in 2002. He was second on the team in tackles with 88, including a team-high 11.5 for losses, forced three fumbles and recovered three.

Shimek (Pasco) started six games last season and ranked No.17 nationally in NCAA Division II in pass efficiency (139.5). He passed for 1,544 yards and 13 touchdowns, completing 129 of 209 attempts for a school-record 61.7 percent with just five interceptions.

Thompson (Auburn/Auburn-Riverside), who started all 10 games last fall, was a Verizon District VIII College Division academic all-star in 2002 and earned league academic all-star honors for the third straight year. He was credited with 56 tackles, including a team-best 4-1/2 quarterback sacks for minus-29 yards.

Western finished 6-4 in 2002.

The Vikings have their final scrimmage of spring practice Saturday (11 a.m.) at Civic Stadium. They open their 2003 season on Sept. 4 (7 p.m.) at home against St. Cloud State.