June 3, 2003
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
A sophomore, junior and senior are Western Washington University's Athletes of the Year for 2002-03.
Setter Liz Bishop, a junior from Seattle who earned first-team All-America honors in leading the volleyball team to a second straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference title with an unbeaten record, and distance runner Ashlee Vincent, a sophomore from Bellingham who was the GNAC Athlete of the Year in cross country and placed third at track nationals in the 5,000 meters to earn All-America honors, share WWU Female Athlete of the Year honors.
Center Mike Palm, a senior from Puyallup who broke the oldest individual men's basketball record on the books, is the Vikings' Male Athlete of the Year.
Bishop, a graduate of Mount Rainier High School, was a first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association and second-team Daktronics All-American, first-team AVCA and Daktronics Pacific Region all-star and GNAC Player of the Year.
She helped the Vikings to a 23-3 record and their second straight NCAA II National Championship appearance, reaching the first round of the Pacific Regional, and their second consecutive GNAC title, again with a perfect 18-0 record. Western has a 41-match league winning streak, the seventh longest in NCAA II history.
Bishop, who ranked with nationally in assists with a school-record average of 13.59 per game, also was a Verizon District VIII College Division and GNAC academic all-star. She was named the Vikings' Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2002-03.
"Liz had an outstanding year, both athletically and academically," said Western volleyball coach Diane Flick. "As I've said in the past, she defines the term student-athlete and the standard we'd like to hold them to."
Vincent, a graduate of Squalicum High School, placed third at the NCAA II National Championships in the 5,000 meters by breaking her own school record with a time of 16:59.08. She had broken a 12-year-old school standard in that event earlier in the season at the Stanford Invitational.
Vincent, who is transferring to NCAA I University of Portland this fall for an academic program in engineering not available at Western, was a provisional national qualifier in three events for the second straight year.
Vincent was the GNAC Athlete of the Year in cross country for the second straight season as she again won the individual title. She also placed eighth at regionals to earn first-team all-region honors.
Vincent was the GNAC Freshman of the Year in cross country in 2001.
"What can I say that hasn't already been said," said Western cross country and track and field coach Pee Wee Halsell. "It is a great way for her to complete her time in the program. She's a classy person - athletically, academically and socially. She's helped us in a lot of different ways and we'll miss her a lot."
Palm, a graduate of Rogers High School, was named a second-team West Region and first-team GNAC all-star, both for the second straight year. He averaged 18.5 points and 9.8 rebounds, coming within five rebounds of becoming the first Western player to average a double-double since 1976.
"Mike certainly exemplifies all of the qualities that go with this award," said Western men's basketball coach Brad Jackson. "Without a doubt, he finished his career as one of the all time greats at Western.
"Mike was truly a joy to watch and to coach because he always came to play. Teammates loved Mike because the team always came first. Mike gave his best in every game and maximized his ability to the fullest."
Besides leading the Vikings in points, rebounds and blocked shots (2.0), Palm also paced the team in field goal (56.7 percent) and free throw (83.2) shooting. He had 26 double-figure point games, 12 double-doubles (points and rebounds) and 11 20-point contests.
Palm finished his four-year career as the school leader in rebounds (874), breaking the school's oldest individual mark (800) set by Jim Adams in 1960-63. Palm finished second in career points (1,649) and third in blocked shots (162).
The names of Bishop, Vincent and Palm will be added to the G. Robert Ross Memorial Trophy.
WWU 2002-03 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
MALE
Cross Country
Paul Kezes, No.1, Junior, Bellingham, WA/Sehome
Placed seventh at NCAA II Championship to earn All-America recognition. Highest national finish in school history. First Viking to compete at nationals in the school's five years as NCAA II member. Earned West Region and GNAC all-star honors by placing first at both those championship events. GNAC Athlete of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Won invitational section at Sundodger Invitational, finishing just two seconds off school record. Transfer from Western State CO. Two-year letter winner.
Soccer
Paul Nissley, Forward, Sophomore, Mount Vernon, WA
Named GNAC Player of the Year, helping Vikings to 15-4-1 record and league championship. Led GNAC and team in goals (15) and points (36), setting league record for consecutive games with point (8). GNAC Player of the Week three times. Goal total was fourth best in school history. Victory total was one short of school record. Two-year letter winner.
Football
Michael Koenen, Punter, Sophomore, Ferndale, WA
Named first-team Daktronics, D2Football.com and Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-American, and second-team Associated Press Little All-American. Don Hansen's Football Gazette Specialist of the Year. First-team D2Football.com, Daktronics and Football Gazette West Region all-star; and first-team GNAC all-star. Led NCAA II nationally in punting with school-record average of 44.9 yards and was 31st in field goals (0.90). Led team in scoring (61 points) for second straight year. Two-year letter winner.
Basketball
Mike Palm, Center, Senior, Puyallup, WA/Rogers
Named second-team West Region and first-team GNAC all-star, both for second straight year. Finished four-year career as school leader in rebounds (874), breaking school's oldest individual mark (800, Jim Adams, 1960-63) on book; second in points (1,649) and third in blocked shots (162). Averaged 18.5 points and 9.8 rebounds, coming within five rebounds of becoming the first Western player to average a double-double since 1976, and 2.0 blocked shots, all team-leading figures. Also paced team in field goal (56.7 percent) and free throw (83.2) shooting. Had 26 double-figure point games, 12 double-doubles and 11 20-point contests. Four-year letter winner.
Crew
Joshua Greisse, No.6 seat, Junior, Pleasant Hill, OR
Rowed in varsity eight shell that placed fourth in a grand final at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships, fifth in a Cal Cup grand final at the San Diego Classic and first at the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference Championships. Three-year letter winner.
Golf
Tim Feenstra, No.1, R-Freshman, Lynden, WA
Golf Coaches Association of America/NCAA II Freshman of the Year. Third-team All-American. Rated No.1 freshman in NCAA II and 11th overall by Golfstat. West Region all-star. Tied for 24th at national and tied for 16th at regionals. Ranked second nationally in par 4 scoring (4.04) and fifth in par 3 scoring (3.10). Led team with 72.6 scoring average. Had five top 5 finishes in last seven regular-season tournaments, taking medalist honors at UC Davis Invitational. Letter winner.
Track and Field
Zach Boteilho, Distance, Senior, Camas, WA
Placed 17th at NCAA II National Championships. Was provisional qualifier in 10,000 meters. Had personal best of 30:33.23 in placing ninth at Oregon Invitational. Won 5,000 at GNAC Championships. Four-year letter winner.
FEMALE
Cross Country
Ashlee Vincent, No.1, Sophomore, Bellingham, WA/Squalicum
Finished eighth at regionals to earn West Region all-star honors for second straight year. Named GNAC Athlete of the Year for second consecutive season, again placing first at GNAC Championships to earn league all-star honors. GNAC Freshman of the Year in 2001 ... Two-year letter winner.
Soccer
Amy Bouska, Midfielder, Junior, Des Moines, WA/Mount Rainier
Second-team NSCAA West Region and first-team GNAC all-star. Helped Vikings record nine shutouts and hold opponents to 0.92 goals per game. Scored two goals, including one game winner, and had three assists. Three-year letter winner.
Volleyball
Liz Bishop, Setter, Junior, Seattle, WA/Mount Rainier
Named first-team AVCA and second-team Daktronics All-American. First-team AVCA and Daktronics Pacific Region all-star and GNAC Player of the Year. Named Verizon District VIII and GNAC academic all-star. Ranked fifth nationally in assists (13.59), helping Vikings to 23-3 record, first round at NCAA Division II Pacific Regional and second straight league title with 18-0 record, running league winning streak to 41, seventh longest string in NCAA II history. Three-year letter winner.
Basketball
Stacey Miller, Forward, Senior, Bellingham, WA/Sehome
Honorable mention Kodak All-American. First-team Women's Basketball Coaches Association and second-team Daktronics West Region all-star. Unanimous first-team GNAC all-star. Finished fifth nationally in 3-point percentage at 46.3, and set school career record for accuracy beyond the arc at 44.3 percent and tied mark for 3-point makes with 155. Helped Vikings to 22-6 record and first round of NCAA Division II West Regional. Three-year letter winner.
Crew
Emily Davis, Coxswain - Varsity eight, Junior, Carnation, WA/Mount Si
First-team Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-American. Helped Vikings place second at NCAA II National Championships and West Region final at Pacific Coast Rowing Championships and win petite final at Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. Three-year letter winner.
Golf
Kelly White, No.1, Junior, Monroe, WA
Earned second-team All-America honors by placing 10th at NCAA II National Championships. Helped Vikings to No.6 national and No.1 West Region rankings. Pre-season All-American. Had team-best 79.3 scoring average. Took medalist honors at WWU and Lewis & Clark OR tournaments and placed third at Chico State Invitational. Western won three of five tourneys, placed second and third in the other two, and was undefeated in five dual matches. Three-year letter winner.
Softball
Amanda Grant, Pitcher, Senior, Mukilteo, WA/Kamiak
Named second-team NCAA II West Region all-star for third straight year and GNAC Pitcher of the Year for second straight year. Set career marks for wins (48), strikeouts (389), earned run average (1.20), shutouts (18), and innings pitched (507-2/3) and tied record for complete games (58). Set school season record for strikeouts with 129. Posted 13-7 record and 1.51 earned run average with 16 complete games in 18 starts and two saves in eight relief appearances. Helped Vikings to 26-22 record and school's first NCAA Division II West Regional appearance. Four-year letter winner.
Track and Field
Ashlee Vincent, Distance, Sophomore, Bellingham, WA/Squalicum
Placed third in women's 5,000 at NCAA II National Championships to earn All-America honors by breaking own school record with time of 16:59.08. Broke12-year-old school record earlier in season at Stanford Invitational. Was national provisional qualifier in three events - 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 - for the second straight year. Two-year letter winner.
WWU ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
1947 Norm Dahl - Men's Track & Field
Willis Ball - Football
1954 Ken Swalwell - Football, Men's Track & Field, Baseball
1955 Bruce Randall - Football, Men's Basketball
1956 Ted Whan - Men's Track & Field
1957 Bruce Randall - Football, Baseball
1958 Fred Emerson - Football, Baseball
1959 Sam Martin - Football
1960 Jerry Joyce - Men's Track & Field
1961 Don Trethewey - Men's Track & Field
1962 Mike Kirk - Men's Basketball
1963 Jim Adams - Men's Basketball
1964 Bob Thomas - Men's Basketball
1965 Keith Shugarts - Football, Men's Basketball
1966 Jack Nighbert - Men's Basketball, Baseball
1967 Steve Richardson - Football, Baseball
1968 Dave Weedman - Football
1969 Gary Reiersgard - Men's Basketball
1970 Mike Clayton - Men's Basketball
1971 Gary White - Men's Basketball
1972 Lee Andersen - Wrestling
1973 Mike Franza - Men's Basketball
1974 Mike Vorce - Men's Track & Field
1975 Chuck Price - Men's Basketball
1976 Charmon Odle - Women's Basketball
1977 Pat Locker - Football
1978 Bruce Manclark - Men's Track & Field and Cross Country
1979 Rohn McCoy - Men's Basketball
1981 Jo Metzger - Women's Basketball
1982 Marilyn Thibodeau - Women's Cross Country and Track
1983 Wendy Malich - Women's Track & Field
1984 Joan Williamson - Women's Track & Field
1985 Dave Peterson - Football
Genevie Pfueller - Women's Cross Country and Track
1986 Carmen Dolfo - Women's Basketball
Allen James - Men's Track & Field
1987 Kim Nix - Men's Track & Field
Hollie Watson - Women's Track & Field
1988 James Johnson - Men's Basketball
Shelly Borovich - Women's Volleyball and Track & Field
1989 Peter LaBarge - Football
Anna Rabel - Women's Basketball
1990 Peter LaBarge - Men's Soccer
Lorrie Post - Women's Volleyball
1991 Peter LaBarge - Men's Soccer
Scott Lohr - Football
Lorrie Post - Women's Volleyball
1992 Jeff Van Kleeck - Men's Cross-Country and Track
Joanie Armstrong - Women's Crew
1993 Shane Volkmann - Football
Lynton Hyde - Football
Kris Maraveller - Women's Cross-Country and Track
1994 Dwayne Kirkley - Men's Basketball
Brandi Stevenson - Women's Track
1995 Bill Christensen - Football
Gina Sampson - Women's Basketball
1996 Orlondo Steinauer - Football
Gina Sampson - Women's Basketball
1997 Chris Nicholl - Football
Amy Cameron - Women's Track
1998 Mark Spencer - Football
Cathy Johnson - Fastpitch
1999 Joel Skarbo - Men's Golf
Devin Kemper - Men's Track
Celeste Hill - Women's Basketball
2000 Ben Clampitt - Football
Celeste Hill, Women's Basketball
Craig Welty - Men's Golf
2001 Erik Totten - Football
Michelle Parker - Volleyball
2002 Scott Mitchell - Football
Shannon Rowland - Volleyball
2003 Mike Palm - Men's Basketball
Liz Bishop - Volleyball
Ashlee Vincent - Women's Cross Country and Track
