June 3, 2008
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Volleyball senior libero Courtney Schneider, who led Western Washington University to the title match at the NCAA Division II National Championships setting national records for digs per game in a season and career, is the Vikings' Female Athlete of the Year for 2007-08.
Western's Male Athlete of the Year is fifth-year senior golfer Sean Packer, who had the second highest finish in school history as he tied for third place at nationals, just one stroke behind the co-leaders. The Vikings placed eighth nationally in the team standings.
It is the second straight WWU Female Athlete of the Year honor for Schneider, a 2004 graduate of Snohomish High School, who averaged a NCAA II record 7.74 digs per game, leading the country for the second straight year, and a career-best 7.00, breaking the former standard by nearly one per game. She set school and Great Northwest Athletic Conference records for digs in a season and career with 851 and 2,695, respectively, and established a NCAA II Elite Eight record with 44 versus Washburn KS in the national semifinals as well as having a school and league-record 50 digs earlier in the season against Central Washington.
That helped the Vikings reach the national championship match as they finished 26-5 and ranked No.2 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 Poll, won the school's first Pacific Regional crown and took the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title. They were victorious in 21 straight matches during one stretch.
"Her stats and records speak to one side of her contribution, but the things that don't show up on the stat sheet speak volumes in other areas and that was what made our team so successful," said Western volleyball coach Diane Flick.
Schneider was named to two All-America teams, being a first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association selection and a second-team Daktronics choice. She also was a first-team Daktronics and AVCA Pacific Region all-star, both for the third straight season, and the GNAC Player of the Year, being a unanimous first-team league all-star for the third consecutive year.
And Schneider was a NCAA II Elite Eight and Pacific Regional all-tournament pick.
Schneider also is a standout in the classroom, being a second-team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA College Division District 8 all-academic choice for the second straight year as well as a GNAC academic all-star for the third consecutive season. A community health major, she is maintaining a 3.63 (4.0 scale) grade point average.
"It's a well-deserved honor for someone who has worked so hard to become a master of her position," Flick said. "I'm really proud of her accomplishments. She typifies what it means to be a student-athlete both on the court and in the classroom. She excels in both."
Packer, a 2003 graduate of Auburn-Riverside High School, received Golf Coaches Association of America third-team All-America and first-team West Region and GNAC all-star honors, finishing with a 72.3 scoring average.
At nationals, Packer had three rounds of par or better, finishing 1-under 279 for the four-day, 72-hole tournament. One shot off the lead with four holes to go and the leaders in the clubhouse, he gave himself two good birdie chances to tie or win.
"Sean had a career performance at the national championships," said Western golf coach
Steve Card. "It was a storybook ending to a great career. Certainly it was one of the best performances in the history of a storied program."
Packer began the season with three top 10 performances in his first four tournaments. He did not have another until the GNAC Championships after fully recovering from a bout with pneumonia.
At the league tournament, which was won by Western, Packer placed seventh. He finished ninth at regionals as the Vikings placed second.
"There has never been anyone more passionate about Western golf than Sean," Card said. "He's been a leader on and off the golf course as well as in the classroom. He exemplifies what a student-athlete is about and should be about. He's handled himself with an extreme amount of class throughout his career."
A business administration and marketing major, Packer has maintained a 3.42 GPA. He was a three-time GNAC academic all-star.
The national appearance was the third for Packer, who placed 35th in 2006 and 81st in 2004.
The names of Schneider and Packer will be added to the G. Robert Ross Memorial Trophy.
WWU 2007-08 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
MALE
Cross Country
Bennett Grimes, No.1, Sophomore, Pocatello, ID/Century
Earned All-America honors by placing 43rd individually on team that finished 11th at NCAA II National Championships. Earned all-star honors by placing fifth at West Regional on runner-up team and third at GNAC Championships on league title-winning squad. Two-year letter winner.
Soccer
Gibson Bardsley, Forward, Freshman, Fall City, WA/Mount Si
Second-team NSCAA and Daktronics Far West Region choice and unanimous first-team GNAC all-star. GNAC Freshman of the Year. Led team and ranked third among league scoring leaders with 28 points, having school freshman record 11 goals and six assists on 13-6-1 team. Scored three goals against Hawaii Hilo. One letter.
Football
Shane Simmons, Linebacker, Senior, Kent, WA/Kentlake
Honorable mention D2Football.com All-American, first-team Daktronics and third-team Don Hansen's Football Gazette Northwest Region all-star and first-team all-North Central Conference. Ranked No.4 nationally and led NCC in total tackles (12.5 avg.). Preseason D2Football.com All-American. Three-year letter winner.
Basketball
Ira Graham, Guard, Junior, Fontana, CA/Fontana
First-team GNAC all-star. Tied for second in league and led team in scoring with 18.5 points per game average on 52.3 percent field-goal shooting. Also led Western in assists with 2.9 average. Was Vikings' top scorer in 20 of 27 games and scored double figures 24 times, both team bests. Had three 30-point performances, including career-high 33 against Western Oregon on Jan. 12. Had school-record 10-game streak as Western's leading scorer and 19-game string scoring double figures. Named to three all-tournament teams. Has career total of 950 points. Three-year letter winner.
Track - Indoor
Keith Lemay, Middle Distance, Senior, Lynden, WA/Lynden Christian
Placed first at GNAC Championships (1:57. 86) and set school record in 800 meters with 1:54.84 clocking.
Golf
Sean Packer, No.2, Senior, Sumner, WA/Auburn Riverside
Third-team GCAA All-American and first-team West Region all-star. Tied for third, one stroke behind leaders, helping Vikings tie for eighth place at NCAA II National Championships. It was the second-best individual finish in school history. Had 72.8 scoring average and six top 10 finishes. First-team GNAC all-star. Three-time national participant and four-year letter winner.
Jake Koppenberg, No.1, Junior, Everett, WA/Everett
Second-team GCAA All-American and first-team West Region all-star. Led team with school-record 71.3 scoring average, helping Vikings place eighth at NCAA II National Championships. Tied for 28th at nationals and tied for sixth at West Regional as Western placed second. Had eight top 10 finishes and 11 rounds in 60s. GNAC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Named to GCAA Jack Nicklaus Watch List. Led NCAA II in par 5 scoring and subpar strokes per round. One letter.
Track - Outdoor
Keith Lemay, Middle Distance, Senior, Lynden, WA/Lynden Christian
Competed at NCAA II National Championships in 800 meters, placing sixth to earn USTFCCCA All-America honors. Ran 1:51.33 in preliminary heat, third-fastest time in school history. Also had school's fifth-fastest clocking of 3:52.35 in 1,500. Four-year letter winner.
FEMALE
Cross Country
Sarah Porter, No.1, Freshman, Hockinson, WA/Hockinson
GNAC Freshman of the Year. Earned all-star honors by placing ninth at GNAC Championships and 13th at West Regional. Placed 45th at NCAA II National Championships. One letter
Soccer
Claire Morgan, Forward, Redshirt Freshman, Bellingham, WA/Bellingham
GNAC Freshman of the Year. Second-team Daktronics Far West Region and first-team GNAC all-star. Led team in points (24) and assists (10) and tied for most goals (7). One letter
Volleyball
Courtney Schneider, Libero, Junior, Snohomish, WA/Snohomish
First-team AVCA and second-team Daktronics All-American. Daktronics and AVCA Pacific Region first-team all-star and unanimous first-team GNAC all-star, all for third straight year. Set national records for digs per game in season (7.74) and career (7.00). Helped Vikings to championship game of NCAA Division II Elite Eight, school's first Pacific Regional crown and GNAC championship. National and regional all-tournament pick. Second-team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA District 8 Academic all-star for second straight year and GNAC academic all-star for third consecutive season. Four-year letter winner.
Basketball
Claire Pallansch, Center, Junior, Redmond, WA/Redmond
Second-team GNAC all-star. Ranked fourth among league's top 10 in rebounds (7.4), sixth in points (12.7) and fifth in blocked shots (1.4). Scored double figures in 20 contests. All-tournament at Disney's DII West Coast Tip-Off Classic. Only player to start every game for Vikings. Three-year career totals of 800 points and 617 rebounds. Three-year letter winner.
Track - Indoor
Christy Miller, Pole Vault, Junior, Boise, ID/Bishop Kelly
Placed 12th in pole vault (11-7 3/4) at NCAA II National Championships and set school record (12-4 1/2). Three-year letter winner.
Rowing
Staci Reynolds, Varsity 8 - Stroke, Senior, Vancouver, WA/Columbia River
Named Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-America for second straight year, helping Vikings to unprecedented fourth consecutive title at NCAA II National Championships. Varsity eight, ranked No.1 nationally all season long in CRCA Poll, won eight of 11 races, every loss being to Division I schools. Four-year letter winner.
Golf
Breanna Carmichael, No.1, Sophomore, Tacoma, WA/Bellarmine Prep
Tied for 15th at NCAA II National Championships, helping Vikings to sixth-place finish. Tied for fifth at West Regional and placed sixth at RMAC tournament. Had 79.6 scoring average. Two-year letter winner.
Softball
Michelle Wrigley, Outfielder, Freshman, Bothell, WA/Inglemoor
Second-team Daktronics West Region all-star and first-team all-GNAC choice. Let team in batting average (.336), runs scored (34), hits (51) and doubles (13), while committing just one error in 53 fielding chances. Letter winner.
Track - Outdoor
Monika Gruszecki, Javelin, Sophomore, Lynnwood, WA/Meadowdale
Placed second in javelin at NCAA II National Championships with personal-best mark of 152-3 to earn USTFCCCA All-America honors for second straight year. Was national champion as freshman. Two-year letter winner.
WWU ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
1954 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 Golf2007 Anthony Tomsich - Men's Track and Cross Country Courtney Schneider - Volleyball Lindsay Mann-King - Women's Rowing2008 Courtney Schneider - Volleyball Sean Packer - Men's Golf
