Feb. 25, 2004

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Defensive tackle Junior Aumavae (pronounced AH-ma-vi), who earned Lineman of the Year honors for the state of Alaska, and defensive end Erik Olson, who was a Seattle Times White Chip selection, have signed national letters of intent to play football at Western Washington University, coach Rob Smith announced. That brings the total number of Viking signees to 18.

Aumavae, a senior at Palmer (Alaska) High School, was a two-time all-state and all-Northern Rail-Belt Conference selection on both offense (guard) and defense (tackle). As a senior, he was credited with 33 quarterback sacks, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and one blocked kick.

Aumavae also helped the Moose offense gain over 2,000 yards rushing in winning the league title and reaching the first round of the large school state playoffs. As a junior, he played on a team that won the conference championship and got to the state semifinals.

Olson, a senior at Bellevue's Newport High School, was a first-team all-Kingco League pick, being credited with 44 tackles, four sacks and one blocked kick.

Olson's father Ed, played football at the University of Washington and was the head football coach at Hazen High School.

JUNIOR AUMAVAE (pronounced AH-ma-vi), Defensive Tackle,
Freshman, 6-2, 260, 17, 4/29/86, Palmer, AK

HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Coaches all-State and all-Northern Rail-Belt Conference choice both ways as junior and senior at Palmer High School ... Named state Lineman of the Year as senior, helping Moose to league title and first round of large school state playoffs ... Credited with 33 quarterback sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles and 1 blocked kick and team had over 2,000 rushing yards ... Team MVP and inspirational award winner ... As junior, played on team that won conference championship and reached state semifinals ... All-state tournament both ways ... Started two years and lettered three ... Also lettered two years in track.

PERSONAL: Plans for major in physical education or pursue program in pre-law ... Comes from family of 13, with 10 sisters and two brothers.

ERIK OLSON, Defensive End,
Freshman, 6-5, 235, 18, 11/7/85, Bellevue, WA

HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-Kingco League choice on defense and honorable mention on offense as senior at Newport High School ... Listed among Seattle Times Top 100 (white chip) state high school seniors ... Team captain and inspirational award winner for Knights ... Credited with 44 tackles, 4 quarterback sacks and 1 blocked kick ... Started and lettered three years ... Also lettered two years in track ... National Scholar-Athlete.

PERSONAL: Plans to major in business ... His father, Ed, played football at University of Washington and was head football coach at Hazen High School.