2007 WIAC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Headlines

2007 WIAC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Headlines

USTFCCCA Announces All-Academic Teams

RELEASED: Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Madison, Wis.--The United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced its All-Academic Teams and individuals for the 2006-07 season.

UW-Platteville’s men’s program was named the Outdoor Team of the Year after accumulating a 3.032 team grade point average and placing fourth at the national outdoor meet, while UW-La Crosse’s and UW-Oshkosh’s women’s programs were named the Indoor and Outdoor Team’s of the Year, respectively. The Eagles registered a 3.400 GPA and finished fourth at the indoor meet, while the Titans had a 3.290 GPA and won the outdoor national title.

In addition, UW-Oshkosh’s Terri Schwamb (Jr., Little Chute, Wis.) was named the USTFCCCA NCAA Division III Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She is majoring in math education and carries a 3.959 GPA. Schwamb also won the hammer throw at this year’s outdoor meet and the 20-pound weight throw during the indoor competition.

On the men’s side, UW-Stevens Point received recognition after accumulating a 3.019 GPA. A total of 47 NCAA Division III men’s programs were honored.

Individuals from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference receiving recognition included: UW-Oshkosh’s Kevin Lofy, Scott Michel, Jared Morris and Phillip Prusinski, UW-Platteville’s Scott Howard, Cody Egan, Michael Mani and Mitch Spees and UW-Stevens Point’s Cory Baumann, Kyle Steiner, Corey Towle and Nicholas Ver Duin.

UW-Platteville (3.313) and UW-Whitewater (3.070) were among the 73 NCAA Division III women’s programs to receive mention.

Conference individuals claiming all-academic status consisted of: UW-La Crosse’s Jena Durnin, Katie Fondow, Krista Kopetsky, Lindsay Leech, Ashton May, Kristen Painter, Caitlin Perra, Danica Schaefer, Caitlin Schetter, Katie Steingraeber, UW-Oshkosh’s Jennifer Graef, Brigid Hamill, Rebecca Masephol, Amy Mleziva, Nicole Pelischek, Sarah Schettle, Terri Schwamb, Kayla Sharpee, Stephanie Sisk, UW-Platteville’s Jessica Scott and Marcia Taddy, UW-Superior’s Sheri Niemeyer and UW-Whitewater’s Jennifer Rogers and Mollie Zirbel.

The selection of the All-Academic Indoor and Outdoor Team’s of the Year award is based on a combination of athletic and academic achievements, with the top honor going to the team that had the best finish at the Division III Indoor and/or Outdoor national championships and also holding the highest cumulative GPA.

To be nominated, a team must carry a minimum 3.000 cumulative GPA, while individuals must have a 3.250 GPA and obtain a NCAA qualifying mark in their respective event.

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UW-Eau Claire’s Faller and UW-Oshkosh’s Schwamb Claim Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Academic All-America Status

RELEASED: Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Liz Faller and UW-Oshkosh’s Terri Schwamb have been named to the 2007 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Second Team.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes throughout the country and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Faller, a senior from Marinette, Wis., boasts a 3.97 grade point average while majoring in kinesiology - physical education teaching. This year, she received the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award.

On the track, Faller is a four-time All-American and three-time conference champion. She is a two-time conference indoor championship in the 55-meter hurdles and an outdoor champion in the 100-meter hurdles. Faller has her name attached to four different school records, including the outdoor 4 x 400-meter relay and the indoor 55-meter hurdles, 4 x 200 and 4 x 400-meter relays.

Schwamb, a junior from Little Chute, Wis., is majoring in mathematics - Spanish and carries a 3.96 grade point average.

Outside the classroom, she is a two-time national champion after claiming the indoor 20-pound weight throw and outdoor hammer throw this season. Schwamb won both events at the WIAC championships, including a conference-record performance in the hammer throw. She also earned All-America accolades in both events during the 2005 season.

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Seven Named to Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Academic All-District Team

RELEASED: Monday, June 11, 2007

Madison, Wis.--Seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2007 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Team.

UW-Eau Claire’s Liz Faller, UW-La Crosse’s Kristen Painter and UW-Oshkosh’s Sarah Schettle and Terri Schwamb were named to the first team, while the Blugolds’ Stephanie Barnes, the Titans’ Jenny Graef and UW-Platteville’s Marcia Taddy were second team selections.

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

Faller, a senior from Marinette, Wis., boasts a 3.97 grade point average while majoring in kinesiology - physical education teaching. She earned second team academic all-district honors the past two seasons. This year, Faller received the WIAC Judy Kruckman Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award.

Painter, a senior from Blue Earth, Minn., carries a 3.94 grade point average and is majoring in history – ethnic and racial studies. She claimed the WIAC Judy Kruckman Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Award this season.

Schettle, a senior from Oshkosh, Wis. (West H.S.), earned second team academic all-district status a year ago and secured the WIAC Judy Kruckman Indoor Track and Field Co-Scholar-Athlete Award in 2007. She maintains a 3.91 grade point average while double-majoring in chemistry and Spanish.

Schwamb, a junior from Little Chute, Wis., is majoring in mathematics - Spanish and boasts a 3.96 grade point average.

Faller, Painter, Schettle and Schwamb are eligible for Academic All-America team which will be announced on June 27.

Barnes, a senior from Sauk City, Wis. (Sauk Prairie H.S.), earned second team academic all-district honors for the second straight year. She is majoring in kinesiology - human performance and carries a 3.68 grade point average. Barnes was named the 2007 WIAC Judy Kruckman Indoor Track and Field Co-Scholar-Athlete.

Graef, a senior from Lena, Wis., maintains a 3.77 grade point average and is majoring in biology, while Taddy, a junior from Two Rivers, Wis., is majoring in physical education and carries a 3.62 grade point average. Taddy received the 2006 WIAC Judy Kruckman Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Award.

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Outdoor Track and Field Athletes Capture Awards; UW-La Crosse’s Ericksen Named Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Thursday, May 31, 2007

Madison, Wis.--Two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have received national awards from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for their achievements during the 2007 outdoor season.

UW-Platteville’s Marcia Taddy was named the NCAA Division III Women’s Track Athlete of the Year, while UW-River Falls’ Jill Crandall received the Women’s Field Athlete of the Year honor. In addition, UW-La Crosse head coach Brent Ericksen was named the NCAA Division III Men’s Coach of the Year.

Taddy, a junior from Two Rivers, Wis., won the 1,500-meter run at the NCAA Division III Championship and placed sixth in the 800-meter run. She also won both events at the WIAC Championship and was a member of the winning 4x800-meter relay team.

Crandall, a senior from Roseville, Minn., claimed the high jump at the national championship and finished third in the heptathlon. She also won the heptathlon at the conference meet.

Ericksen directed UW-La Crosse to its second straight national championship and 17th consecutive conference title this season. He completed his first year at the helm of the Eagles and had 23 individuals qualify for the national meet.

Taddy and Crandall also claimed their respective awards in the Midwest Region and were joined by UW-Platteville’s Tyler Sigl, who secured the Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and UW-Stevens Point’s Kyle Steiner, who was named the Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.

Ericksen was named the region’s coach of the year and UW-La Crosse’s women’s coach, Pat Healy, received the regional coach of the year honor.

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UW-Oshkosh Claims Second Consecutive NCAA Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Title

RELEASED: Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Oshkosh, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh claimed its second consecutive NCAA Division III women’s outdoor track and field championship at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium on May 26. The event was held May 24-26 and hosted by UW-Oshkosh for the first time.

The Titans totaled 57 team points to win the eighth national championship in school history and third in the last four seasons.

Calvin College (Mich.) placed second with 44.50 points, City College of New York was third with 43 points, Amherst College (Mass.) finished fourth with 41 points and Loras College (Iowa) and Lincoln University (Pa.) tied for fifth with 32 points.

UW-River Falls recorded the best finish in school after tying for ninth with 25 points, while UW-Platteville placed 13th with 19 points, UW-La Crosse tied for 16th with 15 points, UW-Stevens Point tied for 36th with seven points and UW-Eau Claire tied for 44th with five points.

UW-Oshkosh’s Nadine Pieske won the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.72 and finished third in the 400-meter dash with a performance of 55.08.

The Titans’ Amanda Donath was victorious in the 400-meter dash with a time of 54.68, while Terri Schwamb earned the 20-pound hammer throw crown with a fling of 198-0.

UW-Oshkosh has now had a total of 14 individuals that have won 25 NCAA Division III outdoor track and field titles.

UW-Platteville’s Marcia Taddy secured the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:27.04 and placed sixth in the 800-meter run with a performance of 2:11.00. Taddy also won the 800-meter run during the 2005 national meet.

UW-River Falls’ Jill Crandall won the high jump with a height of 5-7 and finished third in the heptathlon with 4,989 points. Crandall’s title is the first for the Falcons since Jen Pontius won the discus in 1996.

WIAC All-Americans (Top eight finish in each event):
200-Meter Dash: Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh-Champion)
400-Meter Dash: Amanda Donath (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh-3rd)
800-Meter Run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville-6th)
1,500-Meter Run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville-Champion), Emma Dreis (UW-Platteville-3rd)
400-Meter Hurdles: Shannon Zweifel (UW-River Falls-8th)
3,000-Meter Steeplechase: Jenny Graef (UW-Oshkosh-8th)
4x100-Meter Relay: UW-La Crosse (Krista Kopesky, Ashton May, Sarah Duchow, Jena Durnin-5th)
4x400-Meter Relay: UW-Oshkosh (Nicole Pelischek, Nadine Pieske, Amy Mleziva, Amanda Donath-3rd), UW-Stevens Point (Andrea Irvine, Angela Steffens, Kathleen Folbrecht, Laura Simonis-8th)
Long Jump: Bethany Richter (UW-Stevens Point-3rd), Katie Fondow (UW-La Crosse-4th), Caitlin Schetter (UW-La Crosse-5th)
Triple Jump: Katie Fondow (UW-La Crosse-7th)
Shot Put: Kayla Sharpee (UW-Oshkosh-2nd), Krista Hasselquist (UW-River Falls-3rd), Vicki Cooper (UW-River Falls-7th)
20-Pound Hammer Throw: Terri Schwamb (UW-Oshkosh-Champion), Rebecca Masephol (UW-Oshkosh-3rd)
High Jump: Jill Crandall (UW-River Falls-Champion)
Pole Vault: Stephanie Barnes (UW-Eau Claire-4th)
Heptathlon: Jill Crandall (UW-River Falls-3rd)

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UW-Eau Claire’s Faller Claims Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete Award

RELEASED: Monday, May 7, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Liz Faller has been named the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete.

Faller, a senior from Marinette, Wis., boasts a 3.96 grade point average and is majoring in kinesiology - physical education teaching. She is a two-time member of the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Second Team. Faller has been named to her institution’s Dean’s List every semester and has been recognized on the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll the last two seasons.

She is a two-time All-American, placing fourth in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA Division III Championship last season and was a member of the seventh-place 4x400-meter relay team in 2005. Faller won the conference title in the 100-meter hurdles in 2006. She was named her team’s MVP in 2006 and the co-rookie of the year in 2005.

Faller is a member of the Wisconsin Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and Students for Health, Adventure and Physical Education. She has volunteered at a community learning center and worked for the Eau Claire Area School District Jogathon the last two years.

Additional nominees for this year’s scholar-athlete award included: UW-Eau Claire’s Shalene Huth (Sr., Appleton, Wis./West) and Christina Locke (Sr., Racine, Wis./Horlick), UW-La Crosse’s Brenna Anderson (Sr., Lancaster, Wis.), Christy Birkholz (Sr., Sun Prairie, Wis.), Emily Burns (Sr., Neenah, Wis.), Nikki Cahen (Sr., Waukesha, Wis./North), Jena Durnin (Sr., Evansville, Ind.), Meagan Herlache (Sr., Green Bay, Wis./East), Lindsay Leech (Sr., Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley), Emily Lewandowski (Jr., Madison, Wis./West), Beth Medinger (Sr., Onalaska, Wis./Holmen) and Kristen Painter (Sr., Blue Earth, Minn.), UW-Oshkosh’s Kristy Giljohann (Sr., Brookfield, Wis./Central), Jenny Graef (Sr., Lena, Wis.), Brigid Hamill (Sr., Brookfield, Wis./Central), Amanda Kozicki (Sr., Hales Corners, Wis./Whitnall), Nichole Pelischek (Sr., Two Rivers, Wis.) and Sarah Schettle (Sr., Oshkosh, Wis./West), UW-River Falls’ Jill Crandall (Sr., Roseville, Minn.), Holly Kromray (Sr., Minocqua, Wis./Lakeland) and Carrie Van Houten (Sr., Lake City, Minn./Lincoln), UW-Stevens Point’s Bethany Richter (Sr., Green Bay, Wis./Preble), UW-Stout’s Taylor Mayo (Jr., Iron River, Mich.), Rebecca Monyhan (Sr., Winona, Minn.) and Stephanie Nichols (Sr., Chetek, Wis.) and UW-Whitewater’s Abbie Brown (Sr., Hazel Green, Wis./Southwestern), Amanda Meyer (Sr., Jefferson, Wis.) and Mollie Zirbel (Sr., Wrightstown, Wis.).

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman and sponsored by Hewlett-Packard. Kruckman served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.

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-La Crosse’s Healy Named Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Monday, May 7, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse head coach Pat Healy was named the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s outdoor track and field coach of the year, based on voting by the league coaches.

Healy earned the award for the fourth time in his career after leading the Eagles to the WIAC championship. He also won the honor in 1999, 2002 and 2005.

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UW-La Crosse Secures Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship

RELEASED: Sunday, May 6, 2007

River Falls, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse secured its second title in the last three seasons at the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s outdoor track and field championship, which was held at UW-River Falls’ Ramer Field on May 4-5.

The conference championship for the Eagles is the league-leading 23rd in school history.

UW-La Crosse totaled 204.33 points enroute to this year’s crown to surpass the 163 points compiled by defending champion UW-Oshkosh. UW-River Falls finished third with 121 points, while UW-Eau Claire placed fourth with 110 points, UW-Stevens Point fifth with 89 points, UW-Platteville sixth with 64 points, UW-Stout seventh with 42.66 points, UW-Whitewater eighth with 42 points and UW-Superior ninth with 22 points.

UW-La Crosse’s Kristen Painter won the 5,000-meter run with a time of 17:28.68, while Katie Fondow earned the long jump title with a leap of 18-9 1/4.

UW-Platteville’s Marcia Taddy was named the Track Performer of the Meet for the third straight season after winning the 800-meter and 1,500-meter run titles for the third consecutive year. She claimed the 800-meter event with a performance of 2:13.26 and the 1,500-meter competition with a clocking of 4:41.69.

UW-River Falls’ Jill Crandall earned Field Performer of the Meet honors after capturing the heptathlon and the high jump titles. She won the heptathlon for the second time in her career with 4,444 points. Crandall also won the event in 2005. This season, Crandall also added a high jump title to her resume with a leap of 5-5 3/4.

The Falcons’ Shannon Zweifel successfully defended her title in the 400-meter hurdles with a performance of 1:03.28. Jessica Reed won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.87, while Krista Hasselquist earned the shot put with a heave of 43-9 3/4 and Vicki Cooper secured the javelin with a throw of 125-4.

UW-Oshkosh’s Nadine Pieske secured the 200-meter dash for the third straight year with a time of 24.54, while Terri Schwamb set a conference meet record enroute to winning the hammer throw with a fling of 192-4.

The Titans’ Jenny Graef claimed the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a performance of 11:17.72 and Amanda Donath captured the 400-meter dash in 55.59.

UW-Whitewater’s Jennifer Rogers finished first in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 37:24.94 and Dana Thompson won the discus with a heave of 146-7.

UW-Eau Claire’s Stephanie Barnes secured the pole vault with a height of 11-10 1/2, UW-Stevens Point’s Liz Caine topped the field in the 100-meter dash with a performance of 12.45 and UW-Stout’s Ashlea Peter claimed the triple jump with a leap of 38-4 3/4.

In the relay events, UW-La Crosse won the 4x100 for the fourth straight year with a time of 48.13, while UW-Oshkosh earned the 4x400 for the second straight season with a clocking of 3:53.21 and UW-Platteville captured the 4x800 for the third straight year with a performance of 9:21.14

UW-La Crosse’s Pat Healy was voted the Coach of the Year, while UW-Eau Claire’s Liz Faller was named the Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete.

WIAC Champions:
100-meter dash: Liz Caine (UW-Stevens Point), 12.45
200-meter dash: Nadine Pieske (UW-Oshkosh), 24.54
400-meter dash: Amanda Donath (UW-Oshkosh), 55.59
800-meter run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville), 2:13.26
1,500-meter run: Marcia Taddy (UW-Platteville), 4:41.69
5,000-meter run: Kristen Painter (UW-La Crosse), 17:28.68
10,000-meter run: Jennifer Rogers (UW-Whitewater), 37:24.94
3,000-meter steeplechase: Jenny Graef (UW-Oshkosh), 11:17.72
110-meter hurdles: Jessica Reed (UW-River Falls), 14.87
400-meter hurdles: Shannon Zweifel (UW-River Falls), 1:03.28
High Jump: Jill Crandall (UW-River Falls), 5-5 3/4 (1.67m)
Long Jump: Katie Fondow (UW-La Crosse), 18-9 1/4 (5.72m)
Triple Jump: Ashlea Peter (UW-Stout), 38-4 3/4 (11.70m)
Pole Vault: Stephanie Barnes (UW-Eau Claire), 11-10 1/2 (3.62m)
Hammer Throw: Terri Schwamb (UW-Oshkosh), 192-4 (58.62m)*
Shot Put: Krista Hasselquist (UW-River Falls), 43-9 3/4 (13.35m)
Discus: Dana Thompson (UW-Whitewater), 146-7 (44.68m)
Javelin: Vicki Cooper (UW-River Falls), 125-4 (38.21m)
Heptathlon: Jill Crandall (UW-River Falls), 4,444 points

4x100-meter relay: UW-La Crosse, 48.13
4x400-meter relay: UW-Oshkosh, 3:53.21
4x800-meter relay: UW-Platteville, 9:21.14

*Conference meet record

Track Performer of the Meet: Marcia Taddy of UW-Platteville
Field Performer of the Meet: Jill Crandall of UW-River Falls
Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Liz Faller of UW-Eau Claire
Coach of the Year: Pat Healy of UW-La Crosse

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UW-Oshkosh's Schettle Wins NCAA Sportsmanship Award

RELEASED: Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Oshkosh, Wis.--Sarah Schettle, a top student, outstanding athlete and a campus leader at UW-Oshkosh - can add the 2006 NCAA Division III Sportsmanship Award to her list of accomplishments.

The Oshkosh senior, who carries a 3.90 grade-point average with majors in chemistry and Spanish, was one of two nationwide - one man and one woman - to win the sportsmanship honor from the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.

The award is for sportsmanship that "characterizes the highest level of respect, caring, fairness, civility, honesty, integrity and responsibility during competition."

The top award recipients are chosen from athletes in NCAA Division I, II and III schools. Separate awards go to a man and woman student athlete from each of the three divisions.

It's just the latest award for Schettle.

This summer, she also was selected for the Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship for the second straight year.

In 2005, she was one of 100 nationwide to receive a $5,000 Reagan scholarship. This year, she was one of only 26 to receive a $1,000 renewable Reagan award.

A student leader since her freshman year, Schettle has been a volunteer with Student Legal Services and many student organizations, Reichenberger said.

Schettle attributes her success to the opportunities she has been given by UW-Oshkosh faculty and coaches and the support of her family. Home-schooled until sixth grade, she said that instilled in her a love of learning.

Schettle has been active in such campus organizations as No Limits Support Association; Student Alumni Ambassadors, of which she is vice president; University Honors Program; Athletes in Action; Biology Club (president) and the Optimist Club.

She is a leader of the New Voters Project, volunteers with the Winnebago County Republican Party and is a leader of College Republicans at UW-Oshkosh.

In the community, she volunteers in blood drives and for Special Olympics.

Schettle was selected to present her research at the UW System Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity in 2005. She is a research assistant for UW-Oshkosh microbiology professor Toivo Kallas, who has been awarded several major National Science Foundation grants for research involving photosynthesis.

She has excelled in both swimming and track at UW-Oshkosh.

Schettle was one of four members of the national champion 2006 UW-Oshkosh women's track and field team to be named to the NCAA Division III Women's Indoor Track and Field All-Academic Team by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). She was a member of the 1,600-meter relay team that placed fifth at the 2006 NCAA Division III Indoor Championship.

Schettle is one of nine UW-Oshkosh student-athletes on the USTFCCCA's 2006 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field All-Academic Team.

Other scholarships Schettle has received include the Kimberly Clark Bright Future Scholarship, the UW-Oshkosh Foundation Scholarship and John E. Kerrigan Scholarship.

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