RELEASED:  Tuesday, June 9, 2009

UW-La Crosse’s Laurent and UW-River Falls’ Hansberry Named To Academic All-America Team

MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Dan Laurent and UW-River Falls’ Derek Hansberry have been named to the 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Men’s At-Large Team.

Eligible sports on the at-large squad are fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis, volleyball, water polo and wrestling.

Laurent, a junior wrestler from Mishicot, Wis., was named to the first team and is majoring in biochemistry, while boasting a 3.92 grade point average.  He becomes the six individual in program history to secure Academic All-America accolades and his selection marks the third straight year that UW-La Crosse has had an individual named to the team.  Jason Lulloff and Josh Chelf were second team picks in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

A senior ice hockey player from Arvada, Colo., Hansberry claimed third team recognition for the second time in his career (2007).  He carries a 3.88 grade point average and is majoring in business finance.    Hansberry is the second individual in Falcon men’s ice hockey history to secure Academic All-America status, joining Rob Novak who was a second team honoree in 2004.

Also named to the Academic All-America squad were UW-Oshkosh’s Seth Breunig and UW-Whitewater’s Alex Lowe.  Both individuals participate in tennis, which is not sponsored by the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. 

Breunig, a senior from Sauk City, Wis. (Sauk Prairie), was a second team selection.  He boasts a 4.00 grade point average and is majoring in secondary education.

A senior from Owego, Ill., Lowe claimed third team honors.  He maintains a 3.83 grade point average in accounting.