May 18, 2011

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University placed 25 student-athletes, 16 women and nine men, on the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Track and Field Academic All-Star team announced Wednesday by the GNAC office.

Five Vikings were named for the third straight year. They are distance runner Eric Brill (Sr., Kent/Kentwood, English, 3.87), pole vaulter Diana DiMarco (Sr., Bozeman, MT, Biology/Anthropology, 3.86), middle distance runner Cheryl Watson (Sr., Olympia, Biology 3.30), distance runner Jordan Welling (Sr., Burlington/Burlington-Edison, Manufacturing, 3.59) and sprinter Megan Zukowski (Sr., Maple Valley/Tahoma, Kinesiology, 3.45).

Selected for the second season from Western were distance runner Lauren Breihof (Sr., Vancouver/Mountain View, Business Administration & Marketing, 3.63), jumper Tim Clendaniel (Jr., Bothell, Kinesiology, 3.70), hurdler/sprinter Andrew Gray (Jr., Sammamish/Skyline, Biology, 3.56), javelin thrower Monika Gruszecki (Sr., Edmonds/Meadowdale, German, 3.45), middle distance runner Rachael Johnson (Sr., Yakima/West Valley, English, 3.71) and thrower Tyler Nichols (Jr., Shoreline/Shorewood, Business Administration, 3.53).

Brill's 3.87 (4.0 scale) led the Viking men and distance runner Phoebe Hartnett (Jr., San Diego, CA/Patrick Henry, Special Education) paced the Western women with a 3.91 GPA.

To be eligible for the academic team, student-athletes must have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 and be in at least their second year of competition at their university. They must also qualify to compete in either the GNAC Indoor or Outdoor Track and Field championship meet.

GREAT NORTHWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Contact: Bob Guptill (509-535-5291/Fax 535-5293/e-mail - bguptill@gnacsports.com)

One Hundred Forty Six Named To GNAC Academic Track-and-Field Team

SPOKANE, Wash. - A total of 146 student-athletes - 92 women and 54 men - have been named to the 2011 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Track and Field Academic all-star team.

Justin Karr of Western Oregon and Sviatoslav Moldavanov of Simon Fraser each have 3.99 GPAs to lead the men's academic team. It is the third year in a row Karr has posted the top GPA on the men's team.

Leading the women's team with a perfect 4.00 GPA is Laura Pridgen of Northwest Nazarene. Simon Fraser's Helen Crofts has a 4.09 GPA in the Canadian system which awards 4.33 points for an A+.

Chad Meis of Seattle Pacific, who completed his collegiate eligibility last winter in indoor track, earned his fourth GNAC academic award.

Twenty of the all-stars including six men and 14 women made the team for the third year in a row including Ardrienna Everett of Alaska Anchorage; Daniel Ramirez of Central Washington; Katie Thiel and Sarah Jackson of Montana State Billings; Grant Miller, Dan Hill, Maycee Bekkedahl, Elisa Decker, Ashley Egger, Annie Larlee, Jaclyn Puga and Shayna Shute of Northwest Nazarene; Annie Lawreyson of Saint Martin's; Jennifer Pike of Seattle Pacific; Karr of Western Oregon and Eric Brill, Jordan Welling, Diana DiMarco, Megan Zukowski and Cheryl Watson, all of Western Washington.

To be eligible for the academic team, student-athletes must have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 and be in at least their second year of competition at their university. They must also qualify to compete in either the GNAC Indoor or Outdoor Track and Field championship meet.

Men's Track and Field Academic All-Conference

Micah Chelimo , UAA  (Engineering, So., 3.51, Kapkoi, Kenya)Ethan Hewitt , UAA (Undeclared, So., 3.21, Eagle River, AK)Thomas Hill , UAA (Physical Education,  Jr., 3.24, Thunder Bay, ON)*Alfred Kangogo, UAA (Nursing and Nutrition, Jr., 3.40, Eldoret, Kenya)Brad Truax , UAA  (Economics, So., 3.56, Palmer, AK)Shaun Ward, UAA (Management and Marketing, Jr., 3.46, Eagle River, AK)**Daniel Ramirez, CWU (Psychology/Spanish, Sr., 3.59, Toppenish, WA)Scott Hunter, CWU (Biology, So., 3.53, Hilo, HI)Scott Power, CWU (Physical Education, Sr., 3.47, Burlington, WA)Jason Caryl, CWU (Exercise Science, So., 3.47, Omak, WA)Matt Seel, CWU (Undeclared, So., 3.44, Fairwood, WA)Lewis Meyers, CWU (Biology, So., 3.35, Carson, WA)Manny Melo, CWU (Physical Education & School Health, So., 3.29, Battle Ground, WA)Tommy Sheriff, CWU (Exercise Science, Jr., 3.24, Bellevue, WA)*Branden Martinez, MSUB (Music, So., 3.59, Worland, WY)Adam Prevost , MSUB (Health and Human Performance , So., 3.89 , Billings, MT)Casey Smartt, MSUB (Political Science , Jr., 3.53, Billings, MT)Tyson Vanderby, MSUB (Health and Human Performance, Jr., 3.22, Manhattan, MT)Jesse Baggenstos, NNU (Engineering Physics, So., 3.94, Renton, WA)**Grant Miller, NNU (Political Science - Graduate Studies, Sr., 3.92, Vancouver, WA)*Ben Heidegger, NNU (Mass Communications, Jr., 3.84, Medford, OR)*Maurus Hope, NNU (Bio-Chemistry, Jr., 3.71, Adrian, OR)Cameron Colby, NNU (History, So., 3.52, Lake Oswego, OR)**Dan Hill, NNU (Secondary Education - History, Sr., 3.48, Castleford, ID)*Luke Hetrick, NNU (Engineering Physics, Jr., 3.45, Caldwell, ID)Caleb Reynolds, NNU (Biblical Studies, Sr., 3.28, Yakima, WA)Joseph Patti, SMU (History & Political Science, Sr., 3.79, Renton, WA)Kyle Karnofski, SMU (Education, So., 3.60, Castle Rock, WA)Cameron Grossaint, SMU (Biology, So., 3.58, Mollcreek, WA)Jacob Suazo, SMU (Biology, Jr., 3.51, Lakewood, WA)*Charles Lawson, SMU (Computer Science/Math, Sr., 3.47, Edmonds, WA)Billy Martin, SPU (Educational Ministry, So., 3.92, Edmonds, WA)Nate Seely, SPU (English, So., 3.81, Lynden, WA)***Chad Meis, SPU (Electrical Engineering, Sr., 3.54, Sea Tac, WA)AJ Baker, SPU (Educational Ministry, So., 3.31, AuGres, MI)Sviatoslav Moldavanov, SFU (Business, Sr., 3.99, Mapleridge, BC)James Young, SFU (Science, So., 3.94, Surrey, BC)Brett Wakefield, SFU (Interactive Arts & Technology, Sr., 3.28, Mapleridge, BC)**Justin Karr, WOU (Psychology & Social Sciences, Sr.  3.99, Tigard, OR)Brandon Snook, WOU (Earth Science, Sr., 3.86, Oregon City, OR)Will Crook, WOU (So., 3.63, Jewell, OR)Robert Alexander, WOU (Political Science, So., 3.56, Seattle, WA)Connor Kasler, WOU (Undeclared, So., 3.53, Grants Pass, OR)Dan Sprinkle, WOU (History, Jr. , 3.31, Hillsboro, OR)Andy Loscutoff, WOU (Exercise Science, Sr., 3.24, Canby, OR)**Eric Brill, WWU (English, Sr., 3.87, Kent, WA)*Tim Clendaniel, WWU, Kinesiology, Jr., 3.70, Bothell, WA)**Jordan Welling, WWU (Manufacturing, Sr., 3.59, Burlington, WA)*Andrew Gray, WWU (Biology, Jr., 3.56, Sammamish, WA)*Tyler Nichols, WWU (Business Administration, Jr., 3.53, Shoreline, WA)Jacob Gilbert, WWU (Undeclared, So., 3.41, Bellingham, WA)Logan Darling, WWU (Economics, Jr., 3.35, Bellingham, WA)Travis Peters, WWU (Mathematics, So., 3.34, Kelso, WA)Colby Mayberry, WWU (Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management, Jr., 3.21, Prescott, WA)

Women's Track and Field

Katie Krehlik, UAA (Early Childhood Education,  So., 3.60, Juneau, AK)*Ruth Keino, UAA  (Nursing and Nutrition, So., 3.52, Kapcheno, AK)*Miriam Kipng'eno , UAA  (Nursing and Nutrition, Jr., 3.47, Eldoret, Kenya)**Ardrienna Everett, UAA  (English, Sr., 3.41, Palmer, AK)Shoshana Keegan, UAA  (Early Childhood Education, Jr., 3.32, Anchorage, AK)Katharine Lotze, CWU (Spanish/Journalism, So. 3.99, Benton City, WA)Hannah Swigart, CWU (Exercise Science, So., 3.97, Goldendale, WA)Adriana Mendoza, CWU (Math, Jr., 3.73, Zillah, WA)Sarah Takayoshi , CWU (Undeclared, So., 3.67, Vancouver, WA)Ashley Rice, CWU (Clinical Psychology, So., 3.66, Tieton, WA)Shelby Napiontek, CWU (Clinical Psychology, So., 3.63, Port Angeles, WA)Amanda Valera, CWU (Chemistry/Biology,  Jr., 3.52, Moxee, WA)Shaina Afoa, CWU (Art, Sr., 3.33, Anchorage, AK)*Torrie Self, CWU (Journalism/Spanish, Sr., 3.31, Kent, WA)Brook Berg, MSUB (Health and Human Performance, So., 3.51, Malta, MT)*Erika Halle, MSUB (Marketing, Jr., 3.41, Manhattan, MT)**Katie Thiel, MSUB (Nursing, Sr., 3.88, Powell, WY)**Sarah Jackson, MSUB (Rehabilitation and Related Services, Sr.,  3.78, Bozeman, MT)*Justine Simons, MSUB (Special Education,  Jr., 3.74, Laurel, MT)Mary Owen, MSUB (Health and Human Performance, So., 3.91, Hammond, MT)Shena Wald, MSUB (Interdisciplinary Studies, Gr., 3.97, Billings, MT)Laura Pridgen, NNU (Elementary Education, So., 4.00, Nampa, ID)*Amanda Konzal, NNU (Applied Studies, 3.99, Jr., Spokane, WA)*Amy Ciaccio, NNU (Spanish, Sr., 3.95, Boise, ID)**Ashley Egger, NNU (Biology Pre-Med, Sr., 3.86, Portland, OR)**Shayna Shute, NNU (Liberal Studies, Sr., 3.86, Vancouver, WA)Melissa Grammer, NNU (Social Work, So., 3.83, Valdez, AK)Alicia Hedrick, NNU (Secondary Education - Biology, So., 3.82, Bonners Ferry, ID)Chelsea Barr, NNU (Psychology, So., 3.68, Nampa, ID)**Jaclyn Puga, NNU (Biology, Sr., 3.63, Meridian, ID)**Annie Larlee, NNU (Nursing, Sr., 3.63,  Maupin, OR)*Jill Bennett, NNU (Nursing, Jr., 3.62, Grants Pass, OR)Shanna Rippy, NNU (Economics, So., 3.56, Boise, ID)Marie J. Smith, NNU (Nursing, Sr., 3.53, Bellingham, WA)**Maycee Bekkedahl, NNU (Secondary Education - Math and Spanish, Sr., 3.45, Nampa, ID)**Elisa Decker, NNU (Pre-Physical Therapy, Sr., 3.40, Vancouver, WA)*Laura VonArx, NNU (Secondary Education - Kinesiology, Sr., 3.32, Hermiston, OR)Samantha Hill, NNU (Liberal Studies, So., 3.26, Woodinville, WA)Ashley Rendahl, NNU (Elementary Education, Sr., 3.25, Hailey, ID)Lakiesha Nilles, NNU (Pre-Physical Therapy, Jr., 3.24, Poulsbo, WA)Meagan Swenson, NNU (Marketing, Jr., 3.24, Salem, OR)Danielle Beesley, NNU (Nursing, So., 3.23, Caldwell, ID)Christabel Leonce, NNU (Biology Pre-Med, So., 3.20, Castries St. Lucia, West Indies)Molly Reid, NNU (Elementary Education, Jr., 3.20, Jerome, ID)Samantha Hull, SMU (Biology, So., 3.87, Belfair, WA)Danika Lawson, SMU (Business, Sr., 3.80, Puyallup, WA)Hannah Scholter, SMU (Biology, So., 3.67, Auburn, WA)Julianna Sackeyfio, SMU (Biology, Sr., 3.50, Seattle, WA)**Annie Laweryson, SMU (Biology,  Sr., 3.36, Puyallup, WA)Joscelyn Minton, SMU (History, So., 3.32, Shelton, WA)
Teilissa Tua, SMU (Biology, So., 3.28, Kahului, HI)Jennifer Johnson, SMU (Biology, Jr., 3.26, Yakima, WA)*Natty Plunkett, SPU (Psychology, Jr., 3.96,  Bellevue, WA)Katy Gross, SPU (Physical Science, So., 3.88, Everett, WA)**Jennifer Pike, SPU (Biology, Sr., 3.71, Vancouver, WA)Heidi Laabs-Johnson, SPU (Food/Nutritional Sciences, Jr., 3.69, Salt Lake City, UT)Krysta Carrick, SPU (Nursing, So., 3.66, Tokyo, Japan)*Natalie Nobbs, SPU (Exercise Science, Jr., 3.53 Yakima, WA)*Brittany Tri, SPU (Accounting, Jr., 3.47, Lake Stevens, WA)*Ali Worthen, SPU (Integrated Studies, Jr., 3.37, Coos Bay, OR)*Kayla Wilkins, SPU (Physical Education, Jr., 3.37, Vancouver, WA)Helen Crofts, SFU (Science, Jr., 4.09, West Vancouver, BC)Rachelle Barnett, SFU (Criminology, Sr., 3.59, New Westminster, BC)Olivia Brennan, SFU (Communications, Sr., 3.40, Regina, SK)Emma Vogt, SFU (Biological Sciences, Jr., 3.34, Burnaby, BC)Brianna Kane, SFU (Communications, Sr., 3.31, Roberts Creek, BC)Diepiriye Iworima, SFU (Biology, Sr., 3.22, Port Harcourt, Nigeria)Annan Applebee, WOU (Education, Sr., 3.83, Gladstone, OR)*Erika Snawder, WOU (American Sign Language, Sr., 3.61, Salem, OR)Ashley Potter, WOU ( Psychology, Jr., 3.53, Springfield, OR)*Zoe Skordahl, WOU (Communications, Jr., 3.51, Oakridge, OR)*Ali Mosher, WOU (Jr., 3.43, Gresham. OR)Sarah Kathrein, WOU (Business, So., 3.34, Boring, OR) Annie Hayward, WOU (Exercise Science, So., 3.31, Newport, OR)Meryl Butcher, WOU (Health Promotions, Jr., 3.24, Clackamas, OR)*Amanda Wright, WOU (Art, Jr., 3.22, Olympia, WA)Phoebe Hartnett, WWU (Special Education, Jr., 3.91, San Diego, CAMary Rogers, WWU (Spanish, So., 3.87, Spokane, WAKristi Fairbanks, WWU (Kinesiology, So., 3.86, Snohomish, WA)**Diana DiMarco, WWU, (Biology/Anthropology, Sr., 3.86, Bozeman, MT)Callie Reff, WWU (Human Services, So., 3.79, Burlington, WA*Rachael Johnson, WWU (English, Sr., 3.71, Yakima, WASierra Brisky, WWU, (Kinesiology, Jr., 3.65, Acme, WA)*Lauren Breihof, WWU (Business Administration and Marketing, Sr., 3.63, Vancouver, WAValle Ledtke, WWU (Kinesiology, So., 3.49, Skamokawa, WAAlex McDonald, WWU, (Kinesiology, So., 3.46, Marysville, WA*Monika Gruszecki, WWU (German, Sr., 3.45, Edmonds, WA )**Megan Zukowski, WWU (Kinesiology, Sr., 3.45, Maple Valley, WAAmanda Overdick, WWU (History/Social Studies, So., 3.43, Lynnwood, WAHaida Ikeda, WWU (Environmental Science, So., 3.33, Issaquah, WA**Cheryl Watson, WWU (Biology, Sr., 3.30, Olympia, WA)Eleanor Siler, WWU (Biology, Jr., 3.23, Spokane, WA)
*Repeater  (Gruszecki from 2008)  **Two-time repeater (Miller from 2008-09)