May 9, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

Twelve members of the No.1 nationally ranked Western Washington University women's rowing squad have been named to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference At-Large Academic All-Star Team.

Heading the list is Audrey Coon (Jr., Kenai, AK), a Spanish and elementary education major who is maintaining a 3.95 (4.0 scale) grade point average.

Coon is one of five Vikings named for the second year. The others are Gina Auriemma (Jr., Lake Forest Park/Shorecrest), an environmental studies major with a 3.94 GPA; Samantha Marikis (Sr., Republic), a physical education major (pre-physical therapy) with a 3.40 GPA; Amelia Whitcomb (Sr., Spokane/Ferris), an environmental science major with a 3.34 GPA; and Julia Munger (Jr., Palmer, AK/Colony), an environmental science major with a 3.37 GPA.

Rounding out Western's selections are Miranda Steward (So., Kenmore/Inglemoor) (Art., 3.94), Madeleine Eckmann (So., Winthrop/Liberty Bell) (pre-engineering, 3.53), Rebecca Burroughs (Jr., Shoreline/Shorewood) (psychology, 3.38), Sarah Polster (Jr., Littleton, CO) (geology, 3.32), Erin Bean (Jr., Lynnwood/Meadowdale) (recreation, 3.27), Meghan Woodman (Jr., Redmond) (physical education/pre-physical therapy) and Jenny Smith (Sr., Port Angeles/Peninsula) (mathematics, 3.23).

Western, which is seeking its fourth straight NCAA Division II national title, is rated No.1 nationally in the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association NCAA Division II Poll.

Thirty-Three named to At-Large Academic All-Star Team

A total of 33 student-athletes have been named to the 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference At-Large Academic all-star team.

Athletes eligible for the at-large team are those that compete in sports at GNAC institutions that are either independent (not an officially sponsored conference sport) or compete in another conference which does not officially select an academic all-conference team.

The top scholar on the at-large team is Audrey Coon, who competes in rowing at Western Washington University. Coon, who is a Spanish and Elementary Education major, has a 3.95 GPA. She is one of 12 athletes from the Viking crew team to be selected to the academic team.

All letter winners who are in at least their second year of competition and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.20 are eligible to be selected to the team.

2007-08 GNAC At-Large Academic All-Conference Team

Football

*Brett Rhodes, Western Oregon (Physical Education, Sr., 3.59, Canby, OR)
*Matt Buche, Western Oregon (Earth Science, Jr., 3.40, Myrtle Point, OR)
*Zach Christopherson, Western Oregon (Chemistry, Sr., 3.38, Portland, OR)
*Paul Wright, Western Oregon (Physical Education, Sr., 3.37, Portland, OR)
Chris Helbling, Western Oregon (Physical Education, So., 3.28, Canby, OR)
Juan Rodriguez, Western Oregon (Biology, So., 3.27, Hermiston, OR)
Andy Douglas, Western Oregon  (Criminal Justice, So., 3.25, Aloha, OR)
Sean Fullerton, Western Oregon (Exercise Science, So., 3.25, West Linn, OR)
J.T. Coury, Western Oregon (Business, So., 3.24, Lake Oswego, OR)
Matt Cox, Western Oregon (Computer Science, Jr., 3.20, Salem, OR)

Women's Golf

Alexi Coltom, Saint Martin's (Business, So., 3.68, Business)
Breanna Carmichael, Western Washington (Pre-Denistry, So., 3.33, Tacoma, WA)

Women's Rowing

*Rachel Savage, Seattle Pacific (Visual Communications, Jr., 3.88, Encinitas, CA)
*Rachel Strand, Seattle Pacific (Biology, Sr., 3.54, Shoreline, WA)
Denise Filley, Seattle Pacific (Business Administration, So., 3.46, Mesa, AZ)
*Katie Wolf, Seattle Pacific (Psychology, Jr., 3.39, Bridgewater, CT)
Kay Chikos, Seattle Pacific (Business Administration, So., 3.35, Renton, WA)
*Holly Allan, Seattle Pacific (Mathematics, Jr., 3.33, Bothell, WA)
*Audrey Coon, Western Washington (Spanish/Elementary Ed, Jr., 3.95, Kenai, AK)
*Gina Auriemma, Western Washington (Environmental Studies, Jr., 3.94, Lake Forest Park, WA)
Miranda Steward, Western Washington (Art., So., 3.94, Kenmore, WA)
Madeleine Eckmann, Western Washington (Pre-Engineering, So., 3.53, Winthrop, WA - Liberty Bell)
*Samantha Marikis, Western Washington (PE/Pre-Physical Therapy, Sr., 3.40, Republic, WA)
Rebecca Burroughs, Western Washington (Psychology, Jr., 3.38, Shoreline, WA)
*Amelia Whitcomb, Western Washington (Environmental Science, Sr., 3.34, Spokane, WA)
*Julia Munger, Western Washington (Environmental Science, Jr., 3.37, Palmer, AK)
Sarah Polster, Western Washington (Geology, Jr., 3.32, Littleton, CO)
Erin Bean, Western Washington (Recreation, Jr., 3.27, Lynnwood, WA)
Meghan Woodman, Western Washington (PE/Pre-Physical Therapy, Jr., 3.25, Redmond, WA)
Jenny Smith, Western Washington (Mathematics, Sr., 3.23, Port Angeles, WA)

Men's Crew

*Eric Schellberg, Seattle Pacific (Electrical Engineering, Jr., 3.62, Boise, ID)
*Justin Rowley, Seattle Pacific (Physical Education, Jr., 3.29, Kenmore, WA)

Rifle

Patrik Sartz, Alaska Fairbanks (Biological Sciences & Psychology, So., 3.66)