June 3, 2006
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Men's basketball guard/forward Grant Dykstra, a senior from Everson who was a consensus All-American and the 2006 V Foundation Comeback Award winner, has been named the Western Washington University Male Athlete of the Year for 2005-06.
The Vikings' Female Athlete of the Year is women's golfer Katja Trygg, a senior from Bainbridge Island who earned first-team All-America honors for the second straight year and placed fifth in medalist play at nationals.
Dykstra is Western's first consensus basketball All-American, being a first-team National Association of Basketball Coaches and Daktronics selection, a second-team Basketball Times choice and a third-team Division II Bulletin pick.
He was the Daktronics West Region Player of the Year, earning first-team West Region and Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-star honors for the second straight year.
Dykstra averaged 20.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and a team-high 2.0 steals per game during the 2005-06 season, and led the Vikings in 3-point shooting, hitting 43.7 percent with a school-record 101 makes in 231 attempts. He ranked No.9 nationally in 3-point makes (3.4), No.15 in 3-point percentage, No.32 in scoring and No.41 in free throw percentage (84.5).
Western finished 23-7, being ranked a school-best No.2 nationally twice, and reached the West Regional championship game.
Dykstra survived a life-threatening childhood accident in which his right arm was mangled in a grain auger. He had 16 surgeries over the next 10 years to repair the limb, and his right arm is five inches shorter than his left.
He was the V Foundation Comeback Award winner in 2006, and the United States Basketball Writers Association Most Courageous Award recipient in 2005.
Dykstra finished his career as the school's all-time scoring leader with 1,844 points, and ranks fourth all-time in assists (404), sixth in rebounds (576) and seventh in steals (210). He started all 113 games during his four-year stay at Western.
"Grant's accomplishments speak for themselves and become even more amazing when you consider what he overcame to compete at this level," said Western men's basketball coach Brad Jackson. "The thing that was most unique about him was not just that he set all kinds of records, but that he did it with such love for the game and with such enthusiasm. He played the same way every day, in games and in practice, and was an incredible inspiration."
Trygg was a first-team National Golf Coaches Association All-American and West Region all-star for the second straight year. She placed fifth at the NCAA II National Championship, the highest individual finish in school history, in helping the Vikings place fifth in the team standings for the third consecutive season.
Trygg ranked fifth nationally (Golfstat) in scoring average at 75.4, leading the Vikings for the second consecutive season, and helped Western to victories in seven of eight regular-season tournaments. She earned medalist honors at three of those tourneys, finishing with a career school-record total of eight.
Trygg was a three-time national tournament participant, tying for 15th at nationals in 2005 and placing 16th in 2004.
"I can't think of anyone more deserving," said Western women's golf coach Bo Stephan. "She worked her way up to being one of the best players in the country, accomplishing it with hard work and talent.
"She has to be the best player Western's ever had. Certainly, if you go by stroke average and accomplishments, that was the case. She was a team leader, who did it by example."
The names of Dykstra and Trygg will be added to the G. Robert Ross Memorial Trophy.
WWU 2005-06 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
MALE
Cross Country
Logan Senrud, No.1, Jr., Bigfork, MT/Bigfork
Placed sixth to earn all-star honors at GNAC Championships. Two-year letter winner.
Soccer
Blake Brown, Defender, Junior, West Linn, OR/West Linn
First-team GNAC all-star. Two-year letter winner.
Football
Loren Winter, Offensive Center, Senior, Kirkland, WA/Juanita
Honorable mention Football Gazette and fourth-team CollegeSportsReport.com All-American, second-team Daktronics and Football Gazette Northwest Region all-star and first-team GNAC all-star. Four-year letter winner.
Basketball
Grant Dykstra, Guard/Forward, Senior, Everson, WA/Lynden Christian
V Foundation Comeback Award winner. Consensus All-American, being first-team NABC and Daktronics, second-team Basketball Times and third-team Division II Bulletin. Daktronics West Region Player of the Year. Repeator on all-West Region team and all-GNAC first-team. Averaged 20.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists and team-high 2.0 steals, and was squad's top 3-point shooter, hitting 43.7 percent while making school-record 101 treys in 231 attempts. Scored a career-high 40 points against Humboldt State, tied for fourth-best in school history. Completed career as school's all-time scoring leader with 1,844 points, and ranks fourth in assists (404), sixth in rebounds (576) and seventh in steals (210). Started every game for four years, setting school record with 113 consecutive starts, and also holds career records for field goals made (646) and attempted (1340), 3-pointers made (279), minutes played (3,734) and fouls (334). Four-year letter winner. USBWA Most Courageous Award winner in 2005.
Track - Indoor
Tyler Thornbrue, Pole Vault, Senior, Shelton, WA/Shelton
Earned All-America honors by tying for fourth place at NCAA II National Championships. Finished second for second straight year at GNAC Championships, helping Vikings to league title. Placed 13th at 2005 indoor nationals. Two-year letter winner.
Golf
Tim Feenstra, No.1, Senior, Lynden, WA/Lynden
Second-team Golf Coaches Association of America All-American and first-team West Region all-star. Led team for the fourth straight year in scoring average. Three-time All-American, being third-team pick in 2003 and first-team choice in 2005. 2003 GCAA National Freshman of the Year. Three-time all-region selection. Four-year letter winner and four-time national tournament participant.
Track - Outdoor
Kyle McGillen, Jumper, Sophomore, Clinton, WA/South Whidbey
Team's top point getter at GNAC Championships. Won long jump (22-5 3/4) for second straight year, second in high jump (6-8 1/4) and fourth in triple jump (45-3 3/4), Two-year letter winner.
FEMALE
Cross Country
Laura Trevellyan, No.1, Senior, Vashon, WA/Vashon Island
Earned West Region all-star honors for third straight season by placing ninth. Finished fourth at GNAC Championships to earn all-star recognition for third consecutive year. Top Western finisher in every race. Also, GNAC academic all-star for third time and 2005 U.S. Cross Country Coaches Association National Scholar-Athlete. Finished 22nd at 2004 NCAA II Championships to earn All-America honors for second straight year. Placed 21st in 2003 to become first Western All-American since 1993 with best finish at nationals by a Viking since 1987. Four-year letter winner.
Soccer
Rosie Zadra, Forward, Sophomore, Poulsbo, WA/North Kitsap/Olympic CC
Second-team NSCAA West Region all-star. First-team GNAC all-star and GNAC Newcomer of the Year. One letter
Volleyball
Courtney Schneider, Libero, Sophomore, Snohomish, WA/Snohomish
Third-team Daktronics and honorable mention AVCA All-American. Daktronics and AVCA Pacific Region first-team all-star and first-team GNAC all-star. GNAC academic all-star. Set school and conference season record for digs with 646, and school mark for digs per game at 6.59. Ranked No.4 nationally in digs. 2004 GNAC Freshman of the Year. Two-year letter winner.
Basketball
Tina Donahue, Forward, Senior, Stanwood, WA/Stanwood
Fourth-team Division II Bulletin and honorable mention Kodak/WBCA All-American. First-team Daktronics and Kodak/WBCA West Region all-star. GNAC Player of the Year. Helped Vikings to 27-2 record, GNAC title (18-0), school-record 21-game winning streak, and semifinals of NCAA II West Regional. Averaged 13.8 points on 42.3 percent 3-point accuracy, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 asssists. Four-year letter winner.
Track - Indoor
Heidi Dimmitt, Sprinter, Freshman, Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee
Placed second in 60 meters (8.02), fourth in 400 (58.96) at GNAC Championships. Also ran on 4x400 relay that placed third (4:04.41). Both 400 and 4x400 relay were school record times. One letter.
Crew
Julia Gamache, Varsity eight - No.5 seat, Senior, Seattle, WA/Blanchet
Three-time Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-American, helping Vikings to back-to-back NCAA II regional and national championships. Varsity eight ranked No.1 nationally all season in CRCA Poll. Three-year letter winner.
Lindsay Mann-King, Varsity eight - No.7 seat, Junior, Colville, WA/Colville
Two-time Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-American, helping Vikings to back-to-back NCAA II regional and national championships. Varsity eight ranked No.1 nationally all season in CRCA Poll. Two-year letter winner.
Golf
Katja Trygg, No.1, Senior, Bainbridge Island, WA/Bainbridge
First-team National Golf Coaches Association All-American and West Region all-star for second straight year. Medalist at three regular-season tournaments and eight during four-year career. Placed fifth at NCAA II National Championship, the highest finish in school history, helping Vikings place fifth in team standings. Tied for 15th at nationals in 2005 and placed 16th in 2004. Ranked fifth nationally (Golfstat) in scoring average at 75.4. Placed third at West Regional, helping Vikings finish second. Four-year letter winner and three-time national tournament participant.
Softball
Ashley Barber, Outfielder, Senior, Camas, WA/Camas
First-team GNAC all-star. Led team with .406 batting average, becoming just fourth player in school history to hit .400. Had nine doubles, two triples and one home run with 21 runs batted in and 25 runs scored. Led team with .448 on-base percentage. Had 16 multi-hit games and nine-game hitting streak. Team co-captain and two-time GNAC academic year. Four-year letter winner.
Track - Outdoor
Clara Cook, Jumps, Freshman, Wenatchee, WA/Wenatchee
Placed sixth in high jump, clearing 5-7, at NCAA II National Championships, earning All-America honor by finishing among top eight. Also reached that mark in winning at GNAC Championships. Letter winner.
WWU ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
1947 Norm Dahl - Men's Track & Field Willis Ball - Football1954 Ken Swalwell - Football, Men's Track & Field, Baseball1955 Bruce Randall - Football, Men's Basketball1956 Ted Whan - Men's Track & Field1957 Bruce Randall - Football, Baseball1958 Fred Emerson - Football, Baseball1959 Sam Martin - Football1960 Jerry Joyce - Men's Track & Field1961 Don Trethewey - Men's Track & Field1962 Mike Kirk - Men's Basketball1963 Jim Adams - Men's Basketball1964 Bob Thomas - Men's Basketball1965 Keith Shugarts - Football, Men's Basketball1966 Jack Nighbert - Men's Basketball, Baseball1967 Steve Richardson - Football, Baseball1968 Dave Weedman - Football1969 Gary Reiersgard - Men's Basketball1970 Mike Clayton - Men's Basketball1971 Gary White - Men's Basketball1972 Lee Andersen - Wrestling1973 Mike Franza - Men's Basketball1974 Mike Vorce - Men's Track & Field1975 Chuck Price - Men's Basketball1976 Charmon Odle - Women's Basketball1977 Pat Locker - Football1978 Bruce Manclark - Men's Track & Field, Men's Cross Country1979 Rohn McCoy - Men's Basketball1981 Jo Metzger - Women's Basketball1982 Marilyn Thibodeau - Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field1983 Wendy Malich - Women's Track & Field1984 Joan Williamson - Women's Track & Field1985 Dave Peterson - Football Genevie Pfueller - Women's Cross Country and Track & Field1986 Carmen Dolfo - Women's Basketball Allen James - Men's Track & Field1987 Kim Nix - Men's Track & Field and Football Hollie Watson - Women's Track & Field1988 James Johnson - Men's Basketball Shelly Borovich - Women's Volleyball and Track & Field1989 Peter LaBarge - Football Anna Rabel - Women's Basketball1990 Peter LaBarge - Men's Soccer Lorrie Post - Women's Volleyball1991 Peter LaBarge - Men's Soccer Scott Lohr - Football Lorrie Post - Women's Volleyball1992 Jeff Van Kleeck - Men's Cross Country & Track Joanie Armstrong - Women's Crew1993 Shane Volkmann - Football Lynton Hyde - Football Kris Maraveller - Women's Cross Country & Track1994 Dwayne Kirkley - Men's Basketball Brandi Stevenson - Women's Track1995 Bill Christensen - Football Gina Sampson - Women's Basketball1996 Orlondo Steinauer - Football Gina Sampson - Women's Basketball1997 Chris Nicholl - Football Amy Cameron - Women's Track1998 Mark Spencer - Football Cathy Johnson - Fastpitch1999 Joel Skarbo - Men's Golf Devin Kemper - Men's Track Celeste Hill - Women's Basketball2000 Ben Clampitt - Football Celeste Hill, Women's Basketball Craig Welty - Men's Golf2001 Erik Totten - Football Michelle Parker - Volleyball2002 Scott Mitchell - Football Shannon Rowland - Volleyball2003 Mike Palm - Men's Basketball Liz Bishop - Volleyball Ashlee Vincent - Women's Cross Country and Track2004 Nicola Parker - Volleyball Kurt Hartmaier - Men's Cross Country and Track Josh Griesse - Men's Crew2005 Michael Koenen - Football Tim Feenstra - Men's Golf Julia Gamache - Women's Rowing2006 Grant Dykstra - Men's Basketball Katja Trygg - Women's Golf
