Wittenberg athletes claim national academic awards

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio Its nothing new that Wittenberg University athletic teams are enjoying a banner 2000-01 school year on the field, the court, the pool, the course anyplace where sporting events are contested. Tiger athletes are also getting it done in the classroom.

For starters, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association has named four Wittenberg student-athletes Academic All-America for the 2000 season. SophomoreEmily Duh of Hellertown, Pa., senior Kathryn (Kacy) Heinmiller of Bexley, Ohio, freshman Barb Keselman of Ann Arbor, Mich. and sophomore Theresia (Tessa) Muller of Denhaag, The Netherlands were named to the national honor after earning a minimum grade point average of 3.30. Each was a starter or key reserve on the 2000 North Coast Athletic Conference championship squad the other key criteria to be nominated for Academic All-America.

In addition, Wittenbergs mens and womens swimming & diving teams earned a pair of national academic honors. The College Swimming Coaches Association of America recognized both as Academic All-America Teams in 2000-01. The Tiger women, who finished an all-time best 21st in the NCAA Division III meet March 8-10, were one of 19 womens teams nationwide to earn a rating of "Superior" for compiling a 3.25 GPA or better. Wittenberg was rated No. 14 among all NCAA Division III womens teams with a GPA of 3.313.

The mens team, which posted one of its best finishes ever with a 28th place at the NCAA Division III meet March 15-17, was one of eight teams nationwide to earn recognition from the coaches association as "Commendable" for its academic performance. The Tigers compiled a team GPA of 2.865, which was the 19th-best average among NCAA Division III mens teams for 2000-01.

Finally, 17 Wittenberg student-athletes have been nominated for Chi Alpha Sigma, a National College Athlete Honor Society that recognizes student-athletes for their ability to excel in both academics and athletics. Nominees must have at least a 3.4 GPA on a 4.0 scale, have earned at least one varsity letter, and have achieved junior or senior grade status.

Wittenbergs 2001 Chi Alpha Sigma nominees are junior Nick Allen of Vandalia, Ohio (baseball); junior Shawn Becker of Fishers, Ind. (soccer); junior Elizabeth Bradley of Worthington, Ohio (swimming); junior Lucas Clarkson of Bascom, Ohio (cross country); senior Theresa Conway of Connersville, Ind. (swimming); senior Stephanie Czekalinski of Columbia Station, Ohio (softball); junior Elizabeth Godin of Downington, Pa. (swimming); junior Juliette Gordon of Columbus, Ohio (lacrosse); junior Paula Hauser of Mason, Ohio (swimming); senior Kacy Heinmiller of Bexley, Ohio (field hockey); junior David Hyde of Naperville, Ill. (cross country); senior Julia Kregenow of Lancaster, Wisc. (track & field); junior Tony Pelletiere of Gurnee, Ill. (track & field); junior Carolyn Scaia of St. Louis, Mo. (swimming); junior Courtney Smith of Mt. Vernon, Ohio (swimming); junior Sarah Weide of Ft. Wayne, Ind. (cross country) and junior Nate Williams of Urbana, Ohio (baseball).

"Congratulations are in order to all of these fine student-athletes," said Wittenberg associate athletic director Pam Smith. "Our student-athletes work hard on the athletic fields and in the classroom. This society and these national awards recognize their high academic and athletic achievements. Their commitment to excellence is a quality that will benefit them for a lifetime."