
USTFCCCA News & Notes

Pixler, Puga Headline 2009 Division II Women’s Track & Field Scholar Athletes of the Year
NEW ORLEANS – Four student-athletes who attained five individual national titles both indoors and outdoors in 2009 have added to their collection of hardware as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced Monday the Women’s 2009 Division II Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Scholar Athletes of the Year.
Those four athletes are Indoor Track Scholar Athlete Jessica Pixler (Seattle Pacific), Outdoor Track Scholar Athlete Ashley Puga (Northwest Nazarene), Outdoor Field Scholar Athlete Linda Rainwater (UC San Diego), and Indoor Field Scholar Athlete Jenna Schmidt (Central Missouri).
OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Puga, a native of Meridian, Idaho, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Northwest Nazarene with a 3.95 cumulative grade point average in business administration and finance. Puga was the 800 meter champion at the Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships winning the event with a time of 2:07.24. She also competed in the 1500 meters at the national meet finishing eighth overall to earn her second USTFCCCA All-American honor.
Puga was the 2009 USTFCCCA Outdoor National Track and Field Athlete of the Year in Division II and was earlier named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. Puga ends her career at Northwest Nazarene as the most decorated student-athlete in school history.
Rainwater, the 2009 Division II Outdoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year, won the NCAA Division II title in the high jump clearing 5’9.75″ and was third in the heptathlon scoring 5,303 points. Both marks set new UC San Diego school records. At the California Collegiate Athletic Association Outdoor Championship meet she competed in five events, including the heptathlon, scoring 25 points to help lead the Tritons to the CCAA outdoor conference title. She won both the heptathlon and long jump at the conference meet.
Rainwater, a Goleta, Calif. native, is a junior at UC San Diego studying Visual Arts and maintains a 3.74 grade point average.
INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Seattle Pacific’s Jessica Pixler is this year’s Division II Indoor Track Scholar Athlete of the Year after winning two national titles in March at the Division II Indoor National Championships. The SPU standout and Sammamish, Wash. native won both the mile and 5,000 meter titles to help SPU to a sixth-place team finish.
Pixler, a junior majoring in English, carries a 3.92 cumulative grade point average. She was named Seattle Pacific’s Athlete of the Year for the third straight time following her success this track and field season. Pixler now has eight national titles under her belt spanning the cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.
Central Missouri’s Jenna Schmidt is the Division II Indoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year for 2009. Schmidt, a sophomore from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, maintains a 3.84 cumulative grade point average in Sociology. She was the high jump national champion indoors clearing 5’9.75″ as Central Missouri finished third overall in the team standings. Schmidt also won the high jump title at the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association outdoor championships and finished fourth overall in the triple jump at the conference meet.
In addition to the Scholar Athletes of the Year, the USTFCCCA also announced the women’s Division II All-Academic Track and Field Team. A total of 251 student-athletes representing 73 Division II colleges and universities made up the 2009 All-Academic team.
For the second straight year Grand Valley State led the way with the most student-athletes on the list with 20, followed by Missouri Southern State with ten student-athletes on the list. Minnesota State University had nine student-athletes selected to the All-Academic team.
The USTFCCCA honors Division II individuals for their academic and athletic achievements during the indoor and outdoor track and field season.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met the NCAA Division II Indoor or Outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard in their respective event.
2009 USTFCCCA Division II Women’s All-Academic Track and Field Team:
Name | Institution |
Kim Prather | Abilene Christian University |
Janette Cary | Adams State College |
Lindsey Grasmick | Adams State College |
Amanda Gylling | Adams State College |
Renee Harris | Adams State College |
Lavenna Mullenbach | Adams State College |
Vanessa Roy | Adams State College |
Heather Wood | Adams State College |
Danielle Lyons | Adelphi University |
Kristene Crockett | Angelo State University |
Brittney Heath | Angelo State University |
Sara Hooker | Angelo State University |
Kyndel Howell | Angelo State University |
Andria Nussey | Angelo State University |
Cathryn Rittenberry | Angelo State University |
Elise Bottarini | Ashland University |
Abby Kascandi | Ashland University |
Alissa Klaehn | Ashland University |
Michelle Stark | Ashland University |
Stephanie Tinney | Ashland University |
Miranda Wagner | Augustana College (South Dakota) |
Kathryn Hickey | Bellarmine University |
Kelsey Love | Bellarmine University |
Meghan Shagena | Bellarmine University |
Kristi Buerkle | Bemidji State University |
Melinda Bastian | Benedict College |
Franziska Dobler | California State University, Los Angeles |
Shianne Smith | California State University, Los Angeles |
Vivien Wadeck | California State University, Los Angeles |
Jasimen Bailey | California State University, Stanislaus |
Rosemary Feikert | California State University, Stanislaus |
Danielle Malay | California University of Pennsylvania |
Marcie Mullen | Central Washington University |
Victorria Self | Central Washington University |
Julia Bayer | Chadron State College |
Stacy Girard | Chadron State College |
Diane Kress | Clarion University of Pennsylvania |
Erin Richard | Clarion University of Pennsylvania |
Molly Smathers | Clarion University of Pennsylvania |
Melanie Peddle | Colorado School of Mines |
Janelle Smith | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania |
Rachael Lanzel | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania |
Jacquelyn Jacobs | Emporia State University |
Katelyn Mona | Emporia State University |
Jaclyn Sill | Emporia State University |
Renae Weaver | Emporia State University |
Christy Weller | Emporia State University |
Christina Muir | Ferris State University |
Paige Onweller | Ferris State University |
Mikinzie Stuart | Ferris State University |
Carissa Heim | Fort Hays State University |
Kelsey Martin | Fort Hays State University |
Darcie Schmitz | Fort Hays State University |
Morgan Witzel | Fort Hays State University |
Katie Alfredson | Grand Valley State University |
Lynsey Ardingo | Grand Valley State University |
Lauren Buresh | Grand Valley State University |
Eileen Creutz | Grand Valley State University |
Maegan Doyen | Grand Valley State University |
Kelly Gibbons | Grand Valley State University |
Christi Kettelhut | Grand Valley State University |
Kellie Kieren | Grand Valley State University |
Monica Kinney | Grand Valley State University |
Amy Kolin | Grand Valley State University |
Megan Maceratini | Grand Valley State University |
Stephanie McCarthy | Grand Valley State University |
Karie McDonald | Grand Valley State University |
Emily McKerchie | Grand Valley State University |
Dianna Noonan | Grand Valley State University |
Kirsten Nozime | Grand Valley State University |
Sara Parks | Grand Valley State University |
Susie Rivard | Grand Valley State University |
Shaylee Vanderbaan | Grand Valley State University |
Heather VanderSlik | Grand Valley State University |
Kathryn Hunt | Hillsdale College |
Sarah Kauk | Hillsdale College |
Anna Leutheuser | Hillsdale College |
Amanda Putt | Hillsdale College |
Marta Scheiwe | Hillsdale College |
Jennifer Shaffer | Hillsdale College |
Madeleine Outman | Indiana University of Pennsylvania |
Joanna Horstmann | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania |
Kathleen Scott | Lake Superior State University |
Julie Jarrett | Lewis University |
Christine Kustra | Lewis University |
Amanda Lewis | Lewis University |
Racquel Anderson | Lincoln University of Missouri |
Jhanell Brown | Lincoln University of Missouri |
Nandelle Cameron | Lincoln University of Missouri |
Okine Codlyn | Lincoln University of Missouri |
Monique Robinson | Lincoln University of Missouri |
Tia Rolle | Lincoln University of Missouri |
Carla Thomas | Lincoln University of Missouri |
Natoya Thompson | Lincoln University of Missouri |
Alyssa Douma | Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania |
Lindsey Lambert | Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania |
Alaina Leonard | Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania |
Shala Simms | Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania |
Priscilla Jennings | Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Kristina Anderson | Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Jennifer Hensel | Minnesota State University Moorhead |
DeeRae Honl | Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Sara Julsrud | Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Ashley Roemer | Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Alison Streyle | Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Brittany Henderson | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Megan Hutchinson | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Whitney Kroschel | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Kelsey Leonard | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Kaycie Merrihew | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Laura Palmer | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Katelin Rains | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Andrea Sellers | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Lauren Stelten | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Kara Eckard | Missouri Southern State University |
Kari Fritchie | Missouri Southern State University |
Nicole Green | Missouri Southern State University |
Ciara Lipsey | Missouri Southern State University |
Carita Riutta | Missouri Southern State University |
Kimi Shank | Missouri Southern State University |
Erin Steffens | Missouri Southern State University |
Cortney Vie | Missouri Southern State University |
Courtney Waltbillig | Missouri Southern State University |
Jill Weeks | Missouri Southern State University |
Tamara McCaskill | Missouri University of Science & Technology |
Aubrey Moore | Missouri University of Science & Technology |
Julianne Hoekzema | Northern Kentucky University |
Amanda Madden | Northern State University |
Tanya Vassar | Northern State University |
Audrey Bailey | Northwest Missouri State University |
Emily Churchman | Northwest Missouri State University |
Tierney Eaton | Northwest Missouri State University |
Hannah Henry | Northwest Missouri State University |
Anna O’Brien | Northwest Missouri State University |
Jamie Beaty | Northwest Nazarene University |
Elisa Decker | Northwest Nazarene University |
Ashley Puga | Northwest Nazarene University |
Jaclyn Puga | Northwest Nazarene University |
Kristin Cameron | Northwood University (Michigan) |
Kylen Cieslak | Northwood University (Michigan) |
Brittney Graff | Pittsburg State University |
Venessa Lee | Pittsburg State University |
Michelle Mitchell | Pittsburg State University |
Ali Shaffer | Pittsburg State University |
Heidi Smith | Pittsburg State University |
Leighann Dowell | Saginaw Valley State University |
Maggie Stalker | Saginaw Valley State University |
Sheena Johns | Saint Augustine’s College |
Lisa Anderberg | Seattle Pacific University |
Kelsey Burns | Seattle Pacific University |
Kate Harline | Seattle Pacific University |
Jane Larson | Seattle Pacific University |
Jennifer Pike | Seattle Pacific University |
Jessica Pixler | Seattle Pacific University |
Jeeni Schantin | Seattle Pacific University |
Lauren VerMulm | Seattle Pacific University |
Amanda Ponsonby | Seton Hill University |
Katherine Craven | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
Mary Dell | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
Shannon Hare | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
Laura Henzy | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
Erica Hess | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
Abigail Huber | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
Lauren Redington | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
Neely Spence | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania |
Lacey Cochran | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania |
Jen Harpp | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania |
Laura Mucho | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania |
Amanda Seigworth | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania |
Allison Smith | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania |
Tiffany Tedesco | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania |
Jenny Blair | Southwest Baptist University |
Sarah Bowling | Southwest Baptist University |
Heather Miller | St. Cloud State University |
Jennifer Gardynski | Stonehill College |
Kristen Ameling | Tiffin University |
Andrea Bader | Tiffin University |
Katrina Biermann | Truman State University |
Shaina Dochtermahn | Truman State University |
Kortney Holeman | Truman State University |
Danna Kelly | Truman State University |
Rebecca Hilt | University of Alabama in Huntsville |
Latrice Johnson | University of Alabama in Huntsville |
Ardrienna Everett | University of Alaska Anchorage |
Stephanie Trenholm | University of Alaska Anchorage |
Marie Archer | University of California, San Diego |
Kelly Fogarty | University of California, San Diego |
Anna Lee McGregor | University of California, San Diego |
Ashleigh Montgomery | University of California, San Diego |
Leah Murphy | University of California, San Diego |
Linda Rainwater | University of California, San Diego |
Brianna Schofield | University of California, San Diego |
Katie Skorupa | University of California, San Diego |
Lindsay Lettow | University of Central Missouri |
Kayla Muyskens | University of Central Missouri |
Brittanie Roldan | University of Central Missouri |
Jenna Schmidt | University of Central Missouri |
Angela Selby | University of Central Missouri |
Kelsey Barry | University of Colorado, Colorado Springs |
Kaitlin Frier | University of Colorado, Colorado Springs |
Erin Calvelage | The University of Findlay |
Stephanie Charnigo | The University of Findlay |
Hilary Esselstein | The University of Findlay |
Alyssa Hatala | The University of Findlay |
Ashley Jennings | The University of Findlay |
Erin Lines | The University of Findlay |
Lindsey Schmitmeyer | The University of Findlay |
Courtney Kuzmicz | University of Indianapolis |
Emily Schaf | University of Indianapolis |
Amy Schmitz | University of Indianapolis |
Kristen Stewart | University of Mary |
Jacqui Barrett | University of Massachusetts at Lowell |
Sarah Brassard | University of Massachusetts at Lowell |
Haley Catarius | University of Massachusetts at Lowell |
Lauren Raimondi | University of Massachusetts at Lowell |
Elizabeth Crane | University of Minnesota Duluth |
Kristin Haak | University of Minnesota Duluth |
Maria Swanson | University of Minnesota Duluth |
Jessie Golden | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
Michelle May | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
Cameron Smith | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
Kayla Koepke | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Maja Mihalinec | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Heather Minssen | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Rasheema Pitt | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Anja Puc | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Pinar Saka | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Shannon Gagne | University of New Haven |
Mary Ballinger | University of Southern Indiana |
Lauren Crick | University of Southern Indiana |
Adrienne Curtis | University of Southern Indiana |
Lacy Williams | University of Southern Indiana |
Erica Nixon | University of the District of Columbia |
Lauren Pratt | University of the Incarnate Word |
Je’Marca Tremble | University of the Incarnate Word |
Hayley Watts | University of the Incarnate Word |
Jadrianne Lippman | Wayne State College (Nebraska) |
Paige Pollard | Wayne State College (Nebraska) |
Katie Wilson | Wayne State College (Nebraska) |
Megan Zavorka | Wayne State College (Nebraska) |
Annan Applebee | Western Oregon University |
Casey Hagen | Western State College of Colorado |
Chelsea Murray | Western State College of Colorado |
Lisa Thomas | Western State College of Colorado |
Lauren Breihof | Western Washington University |
Clara Cook | Western Washington University |
Heidi Dimmitt | Western Washington University |
Rachael Johnson | Western Washington University |
Christen Miller | Western Washington University |
Lauren Brown | Winona State University |
Caitlin Dhein | Winona State University |