2003-04 WIAC Women's Basketball Headlines

UW-Oshkosh's Mikolajczak and UW-Stevens Point's Nechuta Named All-Americans

RELEASED: Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak and UW-Stevens Point's Amanda Nechuta have been named to the 2004 Kodak/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America First Team and D3hoops.com All-America Second Team.

Mikolajczak, a senior forward from Franklin, Wis., was named the 2004 Jostens Trophy winner, an award recognizing the most outstanding female student-athlete in NCAA Division III basketball, earlier this season. She led the conference with a 55.8 field goal percentage, while ranking second with 17.1 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per contest and 1.3 blocked shots per game. Mikolajczak also led the WIAC with 12 double-doubles (points-rebounds) and registered a career-high 26 points against UW-Stout on January 3. She leads UW-Oshkosh's all-time list with 127 career blocked shots and ranks 11th with 1,124 career points.

Mikolajcak becomes the fifth Kodak/WBCA All-American in school history, joining Holly Spoo (1998), Wendy Wangerin (1996), Lisa Kirchenwitz (1991) and Terri Schumacher (1985).

Nechuta, a junior forward from Mosinee, Wis., is the second Kodak/WBCA All-American in school history after Sonja Sorensen received the accolade in 1987 and 1988. Nechuta was named the WIAC Player of the Year this season after leading the league in scoring with 18.7 points per game, while ranking third with 2.67 steals per contest, fourth with a 53.1 field goal percentage and sixth with 7.3 rebounds per game.

She led the team in scoring in 22 games this season, including a career-high 36-point performance against UW-Oshkosh on February 18. Nechuta's 617 points this season set a school single-season record and her 1,348 career points rank fourth on the school's all-time list.

Joining the conference duo on the Kodak/WBCA All-America Team were Allison Coleman of Eastern Connecticut State, Tara Rausch of Wilmington (Ohio), Lora Trenkle of Bowdoin (Maine), Lauren Harris of Hardin-Simmons (Texas), Angie Peterson of Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.), Shervon James of Kean (NJ), Alyssa Antolick of De Sales (Pa.) and Erika Smith of Rochester (NY).

Mikolajczak and Nechuta were joined by Smith, Peterson and Annetta Benjamin of Marymount (Va.) on the D3hoops.com squad.

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Five Named To D3hoops.com All-Central Region Women's Basketball Team

RELEASED: Monday, March 22, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Five Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball players have been named to the 2004 D3hoops.com All-Central Region Team. UW-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak and UW-Stevens Point's Amanda Nechuta were named to the first team, while UW-Eau Claire's Becca Spaeth and Brooke Wozniak-Schmidt were second team selections. UW-Stout's Sara Kahl captured third team honors.

Mikolajczak, a senior forward from Franklin, Wis., earned first team honors for the second consecutive season. She was recently named the 2004 Jostens Trophy winner, an award recognizing the most outstanding female student-athlete in NCAA Division III basketball. In 2004, Mikolajczak led the conference with a 55.8 field goal percentage, while ranking second with 17.1 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per contest. She led the WIAC with 12 double-doubles (points-rebounds) and registered a career-high 26 points against UW-Stout on January 3. Mikolajczak leads UW-Oshkosh's all-time list with 127 career blocked shots and ranks 11th with 1,124 career points.

Nechuta, a junior forward from Mosinee, Wis., earned first team accolades for the second straight year. She was named the WIAC Player of the Year this season after leading the league in scoring with 18.7 points per game, while ranking third with 2.67 steals per contest, fourth with a 53.1 field goal percentage and sixth with 7.3 rebounds per game. She led the team in scoring in 22 games this season, including a career-high 36-point performance against UW-Oshkosh on February 18. Nechuta's 617 points this season set a school single-season record and her 1,348 career points rank fourth on the school's all-time list.

Spaeth, a senior center from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), earned all-region third team honors a year ago. She was named one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy this year and led the team in scoring with 15.7 points per game and ranked second with 7.3 rebounds per contest. Spaeth led the Blugolds in scoring in 13 contests, including a career-high 31 points against UW-Superior on December 9.

Wozniak-Schmidt, a senior center from Stanley, Wis. (Stanley-Boyd H.S.), led the Blugolds with 12.3 rebounds per game and ranked second with 8.3 points per contest. She led the club in rebounding in 23 games this year, including a league-high 23 rebounds against UW-La Crosse on February 4. Wozniak-Schmidt finished her career with 853 rebounds to rank fourth on school's all-time chart.

Kahl, a senior guard from Menomonie, Wis., led UW-Stout in scoring with 14.0 points per game and rebounding with 5.7 rebounds per contest. She ranked second the league with 2.89 steals per game and led the team in scoring in 13 contests, including a career-high 25-point effort against Kalamazoo (Mich.). Kahl finished her career fourth on the school's all-time list with 1,119 career points.

The D3hoops.com All-Central Region Team was voted on by sports information directors throughout the region.

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Stevens Point, Wis.--The line on the UW-Stevens Point women's basketball team's gas tanks was well past the "E" in the final minutes of Saturday's sectional final with Hardin-Simmons, but the Pointers persevered, scoring the final five points of the game to secure their third trip to the NCAA Division III Final Four with a 72-67 victory.

Playing without its top two post players for the final 2:47 of the game and coming off a physical, hard-fought win the previous night over Washington (Mo.), the Pointers were running on fumes before finally pulling out the win to improve to 28-3 overall. UW-Stevens Point will face Bowdoin (Maine) in Virginia Beach, Va. on Friday. Rochester (N.Y.) and Wilmington (Ohio) will meet in the other semifinal.

"I can't say enough about the effort of these kids tonight," said Pointers' coach Shirley Egner, who won her 250th career game. "Obviously, there was a big piece of our puzzle missing out there at the end…but those other kids stepped it up. This was a team effort."

The Pointers played a sluggish first half with 19 turnovers and trailed 34-29 at halftime as the Cowgirls closed the half with a 10-1 run. UW-Stevens Point battled back to take a 59-49 lead with 7:12 left before another Hardin-Simmons rally. WIAC Player of the Year Amanda Nechuta fouled out with three minutes left and Amy Scott fouled out 13 seconds later, taking the Pointers' top two inside players out of the game.

Veronica Jones pulled the Cowgirls within two points on a three-pointer at 67-65 with 2:13 left. Diana Martinez then stripped Pointer guard Cassandra Schultz and dished to Lauren Harris, who scored a layup with 1:59 left to tie the game.

Schultz missed a three-pointer on the Pointers' next possession and Hardin-Simmons had three shots on its next trip, but Kristi Miller got the rebound for the Pointers and was fouled with 1:17 left. Miller hit both free throws before one of the most dramatic moments of the night when Pointers' senior Cassandra Heuer, who suffered a knee injury on Feb. 23 and had not played since, entered the game on the defensive possession. The teams traded turnovers and the Cowgirls missed two shots before Lyssa Dennard traveled after getting an offensive rebound with 34 seconds left.

"Heuer put the sleeve on (her knee brace) and came up to me and said she wanted to go in," Egner said. "It was her decision and it was a big lift for our team and got the crowd even more involved in the game."

Tara Schmitt hit two free throws with 23 seconds left to put the Pointers ahead 71-67 before Jones traveled with 14 seconds left to give the ball back to UW-Stevens Point. Schultz made one of two free throws and Martinez missed a three-pointer as the Pointers hung on for the win.

Andrea Kraemer had the big night for the Pointers, scoring a career-high 26 points and hitting three-pointers with 4:35 and 3:25 left to give UW-Stevens Point a six-point lead each time. She finished 11-for-13 from the field and three-for-five from three-point range.

"I just took the open looks that I got," Kraemer said. "I just kind of squared up on both of them and let it go."

The Pointers three seniors: Kraemer, Schmitt and Heuer all earned their 100th career victory and are now 100-17 in their four years.

"Here's five kids that have won 100 career games," Egner said. "That's amazing in a college career and it shows what they've meant for us. That's the story here."

UW-Stevens Point overcame 29 turnovers by shooting 51.0 percent from the field. Hardin-Simmons shot just 33.8 percent for the game. Harris led the Cowgirls with 18 points and Schultz had 13 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Pointers.

UW-Stevens Point is now 14-1 all-time in NCAA tournament games and it marks the third straight year a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team has reached the final four.

"I think it says a lot about our conference, but you have to have a little luck too," Egner said. "I'm not going to take anything away from our kids, but I'd rather be lucky than good."

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Three Earn WBCA All-Central Region Honors

RELEASED: Friday, March 12, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball players have been named to the 2004 NCAA Division III All-Central Region Team by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Eastman Kodak Company. UW-Eau Claire's Becca Spaeth, UW-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak and UW-Stevens Point's Amanda Nechuta all were recognized on the five-member first team.

Spaeth, a senior center from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), is a two-time All-WIAC first team pick and was named one of the 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy, an award recognizing the most outstanding female student-athlete in NCAA Division III basketball, earlier this season.

Spaeth ranks third in the conference in scoring (15.7), fourth in blocked shots (1.11), seventh in rebounding (7.3), eighth in field goal percentage (.437) and ninth in free throw percentage (.745). She led the Blugolds in scoring in 13 contests, including a career-high 31 points against UW-Superior on December 9.

Mikolajczak, a senior forward from Franklin, Wis., was recently named the 2004 Jostens Trophy winner. She is a two-time All-WIAC first team member and all-defensive team selection.

In 2004, Mikolajzak led the conference in field goal percentage (.558), while ranking second in scoring (17.1), rebounding (9.1) and blocked shots (1.3). She also led the WIAC with 12 double-doubles and registered a career-high 26 points against UW-Stout on January 3. Mikolajczak leads UW-Oshkosh's all-time list with 127 career blocked shots and ranks 11th with 1,124 career points.

Nechuta, a junior forward from Mosinee, Wis., was named the WIAC's Player of the Year this season after leading the league in scoring (19.0) and ranking third in steals (2.69), fourth in field goal percentage (.546) and sixth in rebounding (7.4). She has led the team in scoring in 20 games this season, including a career-high 36 point performance against UW-Oshkosh on February 18. The 36 points marked the highest scoring output in the league since January 23, 2002.

Nechuta's 551 points this year have established a school single-season record and her 1,282 career points rank fifth on the Pointers' all-time list. She is a two-time All-WIAC first team selection and all-defensive team pick.

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UW-Oshkosh's Mikolajczak Named Jostens Trophy Recipient

RELEASED: Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Salem, Va.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak has been selected as the 2004 recipient of the Jostens Trophy, an award recognizing the most outstanding female student-athlete in NCAA Division III basketball.

Mikolajczak, a senior from Franklin, Wis. was chosen for the award by a 32-member national committee consisting of college coaches, former student-athletes, college administrators, business leaders, and selected members of the media. The committee voted on the nominees based on three criteria - basketball ability, academic prowess and community service.

Mikolajczak and Justin Call of Emory & Henry College (Va.), the men's honoree, will receive their awards on March 18 in Salem, Va., at a luncheon sponsored by the Rotary Club of Salem.

Women previously honored with the Jostens Trophy were Alicia Moore of Emory University (Ga.) in 1998, Kristen Venne of Susquehanna University (Pa.) in 1999, Alia Fischer of Washington University (Mo.) in 2000, Alison Grubbs of Lake Forest College (Ill.) in 2001, Heather Kile of Swarthmore College (Pa.) in 2002 and Whitney Bull of Wilkes University (Pa.) in 2003.

In addition to Mikolajczak, other women named as finalists for the 2004 Jostens Trophy were Becca Spaeth of UW-Eau Claire, Melody Bongiorno of Chapman University (Calif.), Lauren Harris of Hardin-Simmons University (Texas), Liz Martin of The College of New Jersey, Tara Rausch of Wilmington College (Ohio), Kathleen Robinson of Swarthmore College (Pa.), Hayley Smith of Maryville College (Tenn.), Rachael Turkington of Clark University (Mass.) and Tiffini Varrasse of King's College (Pa).

Previous UW-Oshkosh finalists for the Jostens Trophy were Joe Imhoff in 1998 and Rachel Lachecki in 1999.

After playing her freshman campaign (2001) at UW-Eau Claire, Mikolajczak transferred to UW-Oshkosh and eventually led the Titans to three 20-plus win seasons and a share of the WIAC championship in 2004. Her 80-game career at UW-Oshkosh included 67 starting assignments and participation in 62 victories. UW-Oshkosh's all-time statistical listings finds Mikolajczak ranked first with 127 career blocked shots, ninth with 643 career rebounds and 11th with 1,124 career points.

Mikolajczak began the 2004 campaign as a pre-season NCAA Division III All-America third team selection by the internet site D3hoops.com. She went on to lead UW-Oshkosh to a 21-6 record, a share of the WIAC title and a pair of top-20 national rankings by averaging 17.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game. In WIAC statistical standings, Mikolajczak ranked first in the league field goal percentage (55.8) and second in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots.

Mikolajczak also led the WIAC in 2004 with 12 double-doubles, including 20 points and 15 rebounds in a 79-77 overtime loss to UW-Stevens Point. She also scored a career-best 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in an 85-79 victory over UW-Stout. Mikolajczak was named to the All-WIAC first team in 2004 as well as being selected to All-WIAC Defensive Team and a finalist for the WIAC's Player of the Year award.

In 2003, Mikolajczak helped UW-Oshkosh to a 22-6 record and a pair of top-20 national rankings by averaging 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds. 2.7 steals and 1.9 assists per game. She ranked first in the WIAC in steals, while listing third in blocked shots and fifth in rebounding, field goal percentage (51.6) and free throw percentage (82.8).

Mikolajczak registered four double-doubles in 2003, including an 18-point, career-best 20-rebound performance in an 87-80 victory over UW-Stout. She also had 23 points and eight rebounds in an 82-70 win over UW-Whitewater. Mikolajczak's efforts in 2004 gained her All-WIAC first team, mention as a finalist for the WIAC's Player of the Year award and listing as an NCAA Division III All-Central Region first team selection by D3hoops.com.

In 2002, Mikolajczak helped UW-Oshkosh to a 21-7 record and a pair of national top-20 rankings by averaging 11.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.6 steals per contest. She led the WIAC in field goal percentage (59.2), while listing fourth in rebounding and eighth in scoring.

Mikolajczak compiled four double-doubles in 2002, highlighted by a 19-point, 19-rebound effort in an 81-58 victory over UW-Superior. She also scored 18 points and collected 10 rebounds in a 71-50 win over UW-Whitewater. Mikolajczak was honored by the WIAC as a member of its all-defensive team.

In the classroom, Mikolajczak owns an astonishing 3.928 cumulative grade point average. She is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in biology and minor in pre-physical therapy. Mikolajczak was recently selected to the 2004 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America College Division Women's Basketball second team, an honor that marked the first time a women's basketball player from the UW-Oshkosh was nationally-recognized by the organization. She also was one of three recipients for the WIAC's 2004 Judy Kruckman Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award.

Mikolajczak has been a member of the WIAC's Scholastic Honor Roll all four years of college, making UW-Oshkosh's Dean's List every semester. She is a past recipient of the UW-Oshkosh Governor's, the UW-Oshkosh Chancellor's and the Brady Corporation scholarships.

Mikolajczak has volunteered numerous hours with the Special Olympics, Senior Day Care, youth camp and clinics and serves an active role with ADVOCAP. She currently is president of UW-Oshkosh's Student-Athlete Advisory Board and is active with the campus's Gender Equity Committee. In 2002 as a member of the UW-Oshkosh women's track and field team, Mikolajczak placed fifth in the heptathlon at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championship to receive All-America honors. She also was a member of the school's track and field team in 2003.

The Jostens Trophy is a joint creation of Jostens, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., and the Rotary Club of Salem. The purpose of the award is to honor the true Division III student-athlete – the athlete that shows excellence in the classroom, on the playing floor and in the community. In addition to the Trophy, the Wooldridge Scholarship, a $1,000 donation, will be presented in the name of the winner to his/her institution. The scholarship was named after Dan Wooldridge, a Salem Rotarian and retired Commissioner of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, as a way of honoring him for his long-time dedication to Division III athletics.

Jostens is a leading provider of products and services that help recognize achievement and affiliation throughout people’s lives. The company specializes in championships rings and awards in addition to yearbooks, class rings, graduation products, school photography and corporate programs.

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Article submitted by UW-Oshkosh Sports Information Director Kennan Timm

UW-Stevens Point To Host NCAA Women's Basketball Sectional; UW-Stevens Point Men Travel To Tacoma, Wash.

RELEASED: Monday, March 8, 2004 (Written By: Jim Strick, UWSP Sports Information)

Madison, Wis.--For the second time in three years, UW-Stevens Point will host an NCAA Division III women's basketball sectional tournament. Also this weekend the Pointer men's basketball team will travel to Tacoma, Wash. in the round of 16.

The Pointer women's team hosted the sectional in 2002 and will do so again this year, but this time in Quandt Fieldhouse. UW-Stevens Point (26-3) will face a rematch from the 2002 second round against Washington University of St. Louis (22-4) on Friday. Hardin-Simmons University (26-2) of Abilene, Texas and Eastern Mennonite University (25-3) of Harrisonburg, Va. will meet in the first game on Friday and the semifinal winners will square off on Saturday night for a berth in the final four in Virginia Beach, Va. Game times for the sectional will be announced Monday.

The Pointer men's team is currently 25-5 overall and will take on host University of Puget Sound (24-2) on Friday night at 10 p.m. Central time. Lawrence University (23-4) of Appleton will meet Sul Ross State University (21-8) of Alpine, Texas in the first game with the winners meeting on Saturday for a trip to the final four in Salem, Va.

It marks the first time UW-Stevens Point has had the men's and women's teams qualify for the sectional in the same year. Both teams are making their third sectional appearance. The women have hosted all three times, while the men have played on the road each time. Puget Sound and Rochester (N.Y.) are the only other Division III schools with the men and women both playing in sectionals this weekend.

Women's NCAA Division III Sectional Tournament
At Quandt Fieldhouse, Stevens Point
Friday's Games - Times TBA
Hardin-Simmons, Texas (26-2) vs. Eastern Mennonite, Va. (25-3)
UW-Stevens Point (26-3) vs. Washington, Mo. (22-4)

Saturday's Game
Sectional Championship Game

Men's NCAA Division III Sectional Tournament
At Memorial Fieldhouse, Tacoma, Wash.
Friday's Games - Central Time
Lawrence, Wis. (23-4) vs. Sul Ross State, Texas (21-8), 8 p.m.
UW-Stevens Point (25-5) vs. Puget Sound, Wash. (24-2), 10 p.m.

Saturday's Game
Sectional Championship Game, time TBA

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UW-Oshkosh's Mikolajczak and UW-Eau Claire's Spaeth Named To Academic All-America Women's Basketball Team

RELEASED: Friday, March 5, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak and UW-Eau Claire's Becca Spaeth have been named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-America College Division Women's Basketball Team. Mikolajczak earned second team honors, while Spaeth was a third team selection.

Mikolajczak, a senior from Franklin, Wis., is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-physical therapy and maintains a 3.92 grade point average. She is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District first team selection and was recently honored as one of three women's basketball scholar-athletes in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

Mikolajczak is the first women's basketball player in school history to earn Academic All-America accolades.

Mikolajczak helped the Titans to a share of the WIAC regular season championship this year and finished her career with 1,124 points to rank 11th on the school's all-time scoring list. Earlier this season, she was named a preseason All-American by D3hoops.com and one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy, an award given to the NCAA Division III player of the year. Mikolajczak is a two-time All-WIAC first team and all-defensive team performer, as well as a D3hoops.com All-Region first team selection a year ago.

Spaeth, a senior from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), is majoring in biology education with a minor in coaching and carries a 3.92 grade point average. She is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, earning first team honors this season and second team accolades a year ago. Spaeth was recently named one of three WIAC women's basketball scholar-athletes.

Spaeth becomes the second women's basketball player in school history to earn Academic All-America status. Arlene Meinholz was also a third team selection during the 1994-95 season.

Spaeth is a two-time All-WIAC first team selection and claimed D3hoops.com All-Region third team honors last season. She was named one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy earlier this year and finished her career just 14 points shy of the 1,000 mark.

The Academic All-America Team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA athletes from around the country and is selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

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UW-Stevens Point's Nechuta Headlines All-WIAC Women's Basketball Team

RELEASED: Wednesday, March 3, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point junior forward Amanda Nechuta was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Year to headline the 10 individuals voted to the 2003-04 All-WIAC Women's Basketball Team by the league coaches.

Nechuta helped the Pointers to a share of the WIAC regular season title, the WIAC Tournament crown, a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament and their fourth straight 20-win season. She becomes the second Pointer to claim the league's top honor, joining Kari Groshek who won the award in 2002.

Nechuta claimed first team honors for the second straight season after leading the league in scoring (19.0) and ranking third in steals (2.64), fourth in field goal percentage (.541) and sixth in rebounding (7.4). She has led the team in scoring in 19 games this year, including a career-high 36 point performance against UW-Oshkosh on February 18. The 36 points marked the highest scoring output in the league since January 23, 2002.

Nechuta was also named to the league's all-defensive team for the second straight season. Her 531 points this year have established a school single-season record and her 1,262 career points rank her sixth on the Pointers' all-time list.

Nechuta was joined on the first team by teammate Amy Scott, who ranks second in the WIAC in field goal percentage (.554) and sixth in scoring (13.6) and free throw percentage (.793). Scott scored a career-high 27 points against UW-Stout on December 9.

UW-Oshkosh landed a pair of individuals on the first team after claiming a share of the WIAC regular season championship. Kay Mikolajczak earned her second straight All-WIAC first team honor after leading the conference in field goal percentage (.558), while ranking second in scoring (17.1), rebounding (9.1) and blocked shots (1.26) and seventh in free throw percentage (.771).

Earlier this season, she was named one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy, an award given to the NCAA Division III women's basketball player of the year. Mikolajczak led the Titans in scoring in 19 games this season and registered a league-leading 12 double-doubles (points-rebounds). She was also named to the conference's all-defensive team for the second time in her career and finished her four-year campaign with 1,124 points to rank 11th on UW-Oshkosh's all-time scoring list.

The Titans' Laurie Turtenwald leads the league in free throw percentage (.881) and three-point field goal percentage (.471), while ranking sixth in assist/turnover ratio (1.22) and seventh in assists (3.28) and three-point field goals made (1.28). She was also second on the team in scoring (8.8) this year.

UW-Eau Claire registered the program's 12th 20-win season in the last 13 years and had two individuals recognized on the first team. Becca Spaeth secured her second consecutive first team accolade after ranking third in the WIAC in scoring (15.7), fourth in blocked shots (1.11), seventh in rebounding (7.3), eighth in field goal percentage (.437) and ninth in free throw percentage (.745). She was named one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy earlier this year and led the Blugolds in scoring in 13 contests, including a career-high 31 points against UW-Superior on December 9.

The Blugolds' Brooke Wozniak-Schmidt leads the league in rebounding (12.3) and is second on the team in scoring (8.3). She led the club in rebounding in 23 games this year, including a league-high 23 rebounds against UW-La Crosse on February 4. Wozniak-Schmidt finished her career with 853 rebounds to rank fourth on school's all-time chart. She also earned all-defensive team honors for the second straight season.

UW-Stout's Laura Verdegan earned her second straight All-WIAC first team honor after leading the conference in steals (2.96) and blocked shots (1.85), while ranking sixth in field goal percentage (.500) and eighth in free throw percentage (.767). She set a school single-season record with 50 blocked shots this year and also holds the school's all-time mark with 140. Verdegan was also recognized on the league's all-defensive team for the third straight season to become the first Blue Devil to earn all-defensive honors three consecutive years.

The Blue Devils' Sara Kahl ranks second in the WIAC in steals (2.89) and fourth in scoring (14.0). She led the team in scoring in 13 games this year, including a career-high 25-point effort against Kalamazoo (Mich.). Kahl ranks fourth on the school's all-time scoring chart with 1,119 points.

UW-Platteville's Tiff Flesch secured her second straight All-WIAC first team recognition after receiving honorable mention honors in 2002. She ranks sixth in the WIAC in blocked shots (1.00), seventh in field goal percentage (.466) and ninth in scoring (11.7). Flesch scored a career-high 29 points against Edgewood this season and finished her career fifth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,074 points.

UW-River Falls' Erin Effle earned All-WIAC first team honor after claiming honorable mention status the past two seasons. She ranks fifth in the conference in scoring (13.6) and field goal percentage (.527). Effle led the Falcons in scoring in 15 contests during the 2003-04 campaign, including a career-high 28-point effort against UW-Whitewater on February 14.

Named to the league's honorable mention team were: UW-Eau Claire's Katie Murphy, UW-La Crosse's Jana Merchlewitz, UW-Oshkosh's Abby Holler, UW-Platteville's Katie Freis and Angie Sisson, UW-Stevens Point's Cassandra Heuer, Andrea Kraemer and Tara Schmitt, UW-Stout's Erin Churchill, UW-Superior's Lindsey Anderson, Stephanie Janigo and Heidi McKay and UW-Whitewater's Nya Geschke.

This year's five-member all-defensive team consisted of: UW-Eau Claire's Brooke Wozniak-Schmidt, UW-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak, UW-Stevens Point's Cassandra Heuer and Amanda Nechuta and UW-Stout's Laura Verdegan.

UW-Stevens Point head coach Shirley Egner was voted the conference coach of the year by the league coaches. She directed the Pointers to their first regular season championship since 1987, the WIAC Tournament title and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second time in three seasons. Egner has compiled a 247-136 overall record in her 15 seasons directing the Pointers.

2003-04 All-WIAC Women's Basketball Team
First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Height, Hometown (High School)
Erin Effle, UW-River Falls, Junior, Forward, 5-10, Rochester, Minn. (John Marshall)
Tiff Flesch, UW-Platteville, Senior, Forward, 6-0, Potosi
Sara Kahl, UW-Stout, Senior, Guard, 5-10, Menomonie
Kay Mikolajczak, UW-Oshkosh, Senior, Forward, 6-0, Franklin
Amanda Nechuta, UW-Stevens Point, Junior, Forward, 5-10, Mosinee
Amy Scott, UW-Stevens Point, Junior, Center, 6-2, Rosholt
Becca Spaeth, UW-Eau Claire, Senior, Center, 6-1, Chippewa Falls (Chi-Hi)
Laurie Turtenwald, UW-Oshkosh, Junior, Guard, 5-7, West Allis (Hale)
Laura Verdegan, UW-Stout, Senior, Forward, 5-10, Tony (Flambeau)
Brooke Wozniak-Schmidt, UW-Eau Claire, Senior, Center, 6-0, Stanley (Stanley-Boyd)

Honorable Mention
Lindsey Anderson, UW-Superior, Junior, Guard, 5-8, Superior (Senior)
Erin Churchill, UW-Stout, Junior, Guard, 5-9, Plum City
Katie Freis, UW-Platteville, Senior, Guard, 5-8, Oregon
Nya Geschke, UW-Whitewater, Junior, Forward, 5-10, Janesville (Parker)
Cassandra Heuer, UW-Stevens Point, Senior, Forward, 5-11, Two Rivers (Washington)
Abby Holler, UW-Oshkosh, Junior, Forward, 6-0, La Crescent, Minn. (La Crosse Aquinas)
Stephanie Janigo, UW-Superior, Junior, Forward, 6-0, Brule (Northwestern)
Andrea Kraemer, UW-Stevens Point, Senior, Guard, 5-10, Waukesha (North)
Heidi McKay, UW-Superior, Senior, Forward, 5-11, Mahtowa, Minn. (Barnum)
Jana Merchlewitz, UW-La Crosse, Junior, Guard, 5-9, Rushford, Minn. (Rushford-Peterson)
Katie Murphy, UW-Eau Claire, Junior, Guard, 5-5, La Crosse (Aquinas)
Tara Schmitt, UW-Stevens Point, Senior, Guard, 5-7, Brookfield (Catholic Memorial)
Angie Sisson, UW-Platteville, Senior, Guard, 5-7, Watertown (Rochester Mayo, Minn.)

All-Defensive Team
Cassandra Heuer, UW-Stevens Point, Senior, Forward, 5-11, Two Rivers (Washington)
Kay Mikolajczak, UW-Oshkosh, Senior, Forward, 6-0, Franklin
Amanda Nechuta, UW-Stevens Point, Junior, Forward, 5-10, Mosinee
Laura Verdegan, UW-Stout, Senior, Forward, 5-10, Tony (Flambeau)
Brooke Wozniak-Schmidt, UW-Eau Claire, Senior, Center, 6-0, Stanley (Stanley-Boyd)

Player of the Year: Amanda Nechuta of UW-Stevens Point
Judy Kruckman Tri-Scholar-Athletes: Kay Mikolajczak of UW-Oshkosh, Becca Spaeth of UW-Eau Claire and Laura Verdegan of UW-Stout
Coach of the Year: Shirley Egner of UW-Stevens Point

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Three Share Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Award

RELEASED: Wednesday, March 3, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Becca Spaeth, UW-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak and UW-Stout's Laura Verdegan have been named the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Basketball Tri-Scholar-Athletes, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Spaeth, a senior from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), is majoring in biology education with a minor in coaching and carries a 3.92 grade point average. She is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, earning first team honors this season and second team accolades a year ago. Spaeth is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-Eau Claire's Dean's List every year.

Spaeth, a team captain, is a two-time All-WIAC first team selection and claimed D3hoops.com All-Region third team honors last season. She was named one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy earlier this year and led the Blugolds in scoring in 13 contests, including a career-high 31 points against UW-Superior on December 9.

Mikolajczak, a senior from Franklin, Wis., is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-physical therapy and maintains a 3.92 grade point average. She is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District first team selection and has been named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll three straight years. Mikolajczak has also been named to UW-Oshkosh's Dean's List every semester.

Mikolajczak, a team captain, helped the Titans to a share of the WIAC regular season championship this year and finished her career with 1,124 points to rank 11th on the school's all-time scoring list. She was named one of 10 finalists for the Jostens Trophy earlier this season and is a two-time All-WIAC first team and all-defensive team performer, as well as a D3hoops.com All-Region first team pick a year ago.

Verdegan, a senior from Tony, Wis. (Flambeau H.S.), carries a 3.99 grade point average while majoring in dietetics and minoring in health and fitness and coaching. She is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection earning first team honors this year and second team accolades in 2003. Verdegan is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has received UW-Stout's Chancellor Award for Academic Excellence seven consecutive semesters.

Verdegan, a team captain, is a two-time All-WIAC first team selection after earning honorable mention accolades in 2002. She is also three-time member of the all-defensive team, becoming the first Blue Devil to earn all-defensive honors three consecutive years. Verdegan was a D3hoops.com All-Region third team pick in 2003. She set a school single-season record with 50 blocked shots this year and also holds the school's all-time mark with 140.

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-Eau Claire's Laura Tamm and Brooke Wozniak-Schmidt, UW-Platteville's Angie Sisson and UW-Stevens Point's Cassandra Heuer and Tara Schmitt.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is sponsored by Culver's. In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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UW-Stevens Point To Host NCAA Women's Basketball Second Round Game

RELEASED: Sunday, February 29, 2004

Madison, Wis.--For the second time in the last three seasons, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point women's basketball team will participate in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

UW-Stevens Point received a first round 'bye' in the national tournament and will host the winner of the Wheaton College (Ill.)/Ripon College matchup on Saturday, March 6.

UW-Stevens Point (25-3) received an automatic bid into the 50-team national field by winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament for the first time in school history. The Pointers also claimed a share of their first regular season championship since 1987.

Wheaton (21-6) captured the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament title to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament, while Ripon (21-4) claimed the automatic bid from the Midwest Conference by winning the league tournament.

UW-Stevens Point has beaten both potential second round opponents earlier this season. The Pointers upended Wheaton, 96-62, in Stevens Point on November 29 and own an all-time record of 3-1 against the Thunder. UW-Stevens Point defeated Ripon, 78-53, in Ripon on December 6 and hold an all-time mark of 7-2 against the Red Hawks.

UW-Stevens Point is 11-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament contests, including two national titles (2002, 1987).

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UW-Eau Claire's Spaeth and UW-Oshkosh's Mikolajczak Named Jostens Trophy Finalists

RELEASED: Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Salem, Va.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Becca Spaeth and UW-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak have been named two of 10 finalists for the 2004 Jostens Trophy Division III Player of the Year Award. Finalists were announced by the Rotary Club of Salem.

Spaeth, a senior forward/center from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), ranks third in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in scoring (16.1), fourth with 27 blocked shots, sixth in rebounds (7.3), eighth in field goal percentage (.445) and 10th in free throw percentage (.739).

Spaeth, a team captain, was an All-WIAC First Team and D3Hoops.com All-Central Region First Team selection last season, as well a third team pick to the D3Hoops.com All-Central Region Team. She is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, receiving first team recognition this year and second team honors in 2003. Spaeth is majoring in biology and maintains a 3.92 grade point average.

Mikolajczak, a senior forward from Franklin, Wis., leads the league with a .558 field goal percentage, while ranking second in scoring (16.9), rebounding (9.4) and blocked shots (29) and seventh in free throw percentage (.767).

Mikolajczak was an All-WIAC First Team pick in 2003 after earning All-Defensive Team honors in 2002. She surpassed the career 1,000-point mark earlier this season and was named to the D3hoops.com Preseason All-America Team. Mikolajczak is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team selection who is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-physical therapy and carries a 3.925 grade point average.

The Jostens Trophy takes into account basketball ability, academic prowess and community service. The trophy models the Rotary motto of "Service above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete.

The additional eight finalists for the Jostens Trophy include: Melody Bongiorno of Chapman (Calif.), Lauren Harris of Hardin-Simmons (Texas), Liz Martin of The College of New Jersey, Tara Rausch of Wilmington (Ohio), Katie Robinson of Swarthmore (Pa.), Hayley Smith of Maryville (Tenn.), Rachael Turkington of Clark (Mass.) and Tiffini Varrasse of King's (Pa.).

The Jostens Trophy winner will be announced on March 18.

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Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point each claimed victories on February 21 and claimed a share of the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball championship. UW-Oshkosh upended UW-La Crosse, 67-45, at Mitchell Hall, while UW-Stevens Point rolled to an 80-43 win over UW-Superior at Berg Gymnasium.

UW-Oshkosh secured its first league title since 2001 and the 10th in school history (2001, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1985).

UW-Oshkosh and UW-La Crosse were tied 16-16 with 8:08 remaining in the first half before the Titans used a 12-4 run to end the half and take a 28-20 halftime advantage. UW-Oshkosh hit 54.5 percent of their field goal attempts in the first half, while holding the Eagles without a field goal in the last 13:43.

UW-Oshkosh led 28-23 with 18:57 left in the game and used a 17-4 run to put the game out of the reach, with the lead peaking at 24 points in the second half.

Kay Mikolajczak scored a game-high 16 points for UW-Oshkosh, while Becky Knapp came off the bench to score 12 points. Laurie Turtenwald and Pam Fehring each chipped in nine points.

UW-La Crosse was led in scoring by Shawna Koss led UW-La Crosse with 13 points.

UW-Stevens Point scored the first eight points of the game against UW-Superior and never looked back in clinching the school's second league championship. The Pointers also won the conference crown in 1987.

UW-Stevens Point opened up a 12-1 lead four minutes into the game and led 44-19 at halftime as Cassandra Heuer and Tara Schmitt each scored 10 of their 12 points before intermission.

Amanda Nechuta scored the Pointers' first nine points of the second half. UW-Stevens Point led by at least 29 points throughout the final 16 minutes of the contest and led by as many as 41 at 80-39 before the Yellowjackets scored four points in the final 28 seconds.

Nechuta led all scorers with 18 points, while Amy Scott added 10 points for the Pointers. Lindsey Anderson scored 11 points for UW-Superior, while Stephanie Janigo and Heidi McKay added nine points each. Janigo also contributed a game-high 10 rebounds.

UW-Stevens Point secured the top seed for the WIAC Tournament, which begins on February 23 with the championship being held on February 28. The Pointers will host eighth-seeded UW-River Falls, while UW-Oshkosh will host seventh-seeded UW-Superior. The tournament winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

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Four Named To Academic All-District Women's Basketball Team

RELEASED: Thursday, February 19, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's basketball players have been named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-District Five Women's Basketball Team. UW-Eau Claire's Becca Spaeth, UW-Oshkosh's Kay Mikolajczak and UW-Stout's Laura Verdegan earned first team honors, while UW-Stevens Point's Cassandra Heuer was a third team selection.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA players from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Spaeth, a senior from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), maintains a 3.92 grade point average while majoring in biology. She earned academic all-district second team honors in 2003 and was also an All-WIAC First Team selection. Spaeth is a team captain this year.

Mikolajczak, a senior from Franklin, Wis., earned first team honors for the second consecutive year. She is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-physical therapy and carries a 3.925 grade point average. Mikolajczak was an All-WIAC First Team pick in 2003 after earning All-Defensive Team honors in 2002. She surpassed the career 1,000-point mark earlier this season and was named to the D3hoops.com Preseason All-America Team.

Verdegan, a senior from Tony, Wis. (Flambeau H.S.), is majoring in dietetics and maintains a 3.991 grade point average. She earned academic all-district second team honors last season. Verdegan was an All-WIAC First Team pick in 2003 and has earned All-Defensive Team accolades the past two years. She holds the school's single-season and career blocked shot records.

Heuer, a senior from Two Rivers, Wis. (Washington H.S.), earned third team honors for the second straight season. She carries a 3.81 grade point average and is majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. Heuer was an All-WIAC First Team selection a year ago and was also named the team's Defensive Player of the Year. She surpassed the career 1,000-point mark earlier this season.

Spaeth, Mikolajczak and Verdegan are now eligible for the Academic All-America Team, which will be announced in early March.

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RELEASED: Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Oshkosh, Wis.--The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced Wednesday (Oct. 8) its 2002-2003 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and Junior College/Community College. The awards recognize the nation's highest team grade point averages (GPA) for the 2002-03 season based upon nominations submitted by WBCA-member coaches.

Among the schools cited for its academic excellence was UW-Oshkosh, which ranked fifth in the NCAA Division III with its cumulative grade point average of 3.485. UW-Oshkosh, the lone Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) school mentioned in the honor listing, ranked third in the WBCA's Top 25 Team Honor Roll in 2001-02 and seventh in 2000-01. UW-Oshkosh won 22 of its 28 games and finished third in the WIAC this past season.

"It incredible to see the grade point averages each Top 25 team produces year in and year out," said Beth Bass, the Chief Executive Officer of the WBCA. "These teams set a precedent among student-athletes and deserve to be recognized for their accomplishment. Congratulations to the 110 teams we honor this year!"

Grade point averages are calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by each student-athlete on an institution's squad list in the given academic terms by the total number of hours earned by the team. The grade point averages are rounded to the nearest thousandth of a point.

In NCAA Division III classrooms, Whitworth College (Wash.) compiled a 3.75 cumulative grade point average to earn first place for the second time in four years. The Pirates posted a 19-7 record on the court and won the Northwest Conference championship this past season. Rounding out places two through four in the NCAA Division III rankings were Coe College (Iowa) at 3.560, Adrian College (Mich.) at 3.538 and Villa Julie College (Md.) at 3.488.

Other first-place rankings went to Indiana State University at 3.639 in NCAA Division I, University of Nebraska-Kearney at 3.723 in NCAA Division II, Concordia University (Neb.) at 3.660 in the NAIA and Salt Lake Community College (Utah) at 3.467 in the Junior/Community College.

Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as an amateur sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA visit its web site at www.wbca.org.

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