June 15, 2009
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - For the first time in school history, Western Washington University has two athletes sharing each of its Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards.
The two 2008-09 male Athlete of the Year honorees are senior guard Ira Graham, who helped the Vikings to the school's first outright Great Northwest Athletic Conference title in men's basketball, and senior Jake Koppenberg (Everett), who placed 12th at nationals and became the school's first golfer named to the prestigious All-Nicklaus Team.
The female Athlete of the Year award was shared by senior rower Audrey Coon, who captained Western to an unprecedented fifth straight national team title, and sophomore distance runner Sarah Porter (Hockinson), who earned All-America honors in three sports.
Graham, from Fontana, Calif. (graduate of Fontana High School), was a fourth-team Division II Bulletin All-American and the GNAC Player of the Year as a senior. He also was a first-team National Association of Basketball Coaches West District and Daktronics West Region all-star and played in the NABC Division II All-Star game.
The 6-foot-1 Graham scored 515 points in 2008-09, becoming the first Western player to have two 500-point seasons. He helped the Vikings to a 21-6 record, the school's first outright GNAC title, a No.23 ranking in the final NABC/NCAA II Top 25 Poll and the first round of the NCAA II West Regional.
Graham averaged 19.1 points, being Western's top scorer and finishing second among the GNAC's point leaders, each for the second straight season.
A four-year letter winner, Graham finished his career with 1,465 points, tying him for seventh in school history.
Koppenberg, from Everett (graduate of Everett High School), was an All-Nicklaus Team selection and a first-team Golf Coaches Association of America PING All-American and West Region all-star.
Koppenberg led the Vikings with a 71.5 scoring average, tying for 12th at the NCAA II National Championships that Western hosted, and placing ninth at regionals. He was the GNAC Player of the Year for the second straight season and took medalist honors at three regular-season tournaments.
As a junior, Koppenberg was a second-team GCAA All-American and first-team West Region all-star. He paced Western with a school-record 71.3 scoring average, helping the Vikings place eighth at nationals.
During his two-year career at Western, Koppenberg, a transfer from NCAA I Idaho, had 14 top 10 finishes and shot 17 rounds in the 60s.
Coon, from Kenai, Alaska (graduate of Kenai Central High School), was the team captain and No.7 rower in the varsity eight, helping Western to national titles both individually (eight) and team.
It was Coon's third team national championship and the school's fifth straight overall, something never before accomplished by any school in any NCAA rowing division.
Western's varsity eight finished the season with a perfect 10 wins in 10 races, a school first, taking victories at both the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association and Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference championship regattas and at the unofficial NCAA II West Regional.
Coon was named a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-American and, for the third straight time, a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete. She also was a first-team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA College Division Academic All-American after being a second-team pick in 2008.
Coon was an ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA District 8 and Great Northwest Athletic Conference at-large academic all-star, both for the third time.
A NCRC all-star and four-year letter winner, Coon rowed with a U.S. development team last summer, winning gold medals in the open lightweight eight and intermediate lightweight four and a silver medal in the intermediate pair.
Porter, from Hockinson (graduate of Hockinson High School), earned United States Track and field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-America honors in three sports and twice in outdoor track.
An automatic qualifier to the outdoor track nationals in two events, Porter placed fifth in the 10,000 meters (36:02.72) and seventh in the 5,000 (17:02.19). Earlier this spring, she set school records in the 5,000 with a time of 16:50.87 and 10,000 with a time of 34:58.37.
Porter also was an All-American in indoor track and cross country. She finished sixth in the 5,000 at indoor nationals and placed 13th individually, at cross country nationals, helping Western to a school-best 10th-place finish in the team standings.
Last winter, Porter set school indoor records in the mile (4:46.37), 3000 (9:47.86) 5,000 (16:56.07) and distance medley (11:57.17).
In all, Porter has made six national tournament appearances, going twice each in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
The names of Coon, Graham, Koppenberg and Porter will be added to the G. Robert Ross Memorial Trophy.
WWU 2008-09 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
MALE
Cross Country - Jordan Welling, No.1, Sophomore, Burlington, WA/Burlington-Edison
Earned All-America honors, placing 29th individually on team that finished 10th at NCAA II National Championships. Earned all-star honors by placing eighth at West Regional on squad that finished third and fifth at GNAC Championships on team that placed second. First-team College Sports Information Directors of America/ESPN The Magazine College Division District 8 Academic All-Star and GNAC Academic all-star. Two-year letter winner.
Soccer - Matt Pele, Midfielder, Senior, Kennewick, WA/Kamiakin
Second-team National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American, first-team NSCAA Far West Region and second-team Daktronics West Region all-star and GNAC Player of the Year. Led team in assists with six, finishing third among school career leaders in both assists (14) and games played (73). Helped Vikings hold opposition to 1.11 goals per game and post seven shutouts. Western finished 11-5-3 and won GNAC title. Four-year letter winner.
Football - Adam Perry, Quarterback, Senior, Longview, WA/R.A. Long
Named Most Valuable Player at Dixie Rotary Bowl in 25-10 victory over Colorado Mines. Second-team GNAC all-star. Led team with 3,244 passing yards, 240 completions and 3,256 total yards, all school records, and 28 touchdown passes, which tied school record. Ranked No.11 nationally in total offense (296.0) and No.12 in passing efficiency (158.11). Passed for 300 or more yards in five games, a school record, and threw touchdown pass in every game. Finished career ranked fifth among school leaders in passing yards with 5,208. Three-year letter winner.
Basketball - Ira Graham, Guard, Senior, Fontana, CA/Fontana
Fourth-team Division II Bulletin All-American. First-team NABC West District and Daktronics West Region all-star and GNAC Player of the Year. Played in NABC DII All-Star game. Finished career with 1,465 points, tying for seventh among school leaders. Scored 515 points as a senior, becoming first Western player to have two 500-point seasons. Helped Vikings to a 21-6 record, the school's first outright GNAC title, a No.23 ranking in the final NABC/NCAA II Top 25 Poll and the first round of the NCAA II West Regional. Averaged 19.1 points, being held under double figures in just two games, and 3.2 assists. Was Western's top scorer and ranked second among GNAC point leaders in each of the last two seasons. Four-year letter winner.
Track - Indoor - Ryan Brown, Pole Vault, Sophomore, Bellingham, WA/Squalicum
USTFCCCA West Region Male Athlete of the Year. Won GNAC title by clearing league and school record height of 16-6 in pole vault. Two-year letter winner.
Golf - Jake Koppenberg, No.1, Senior, Everett, WA/Everett
All-Nicklaus Team selection. First-team GCAA PING All-American and first-team West Region all-star. Led team with 71.5 scoring average, which ranked among the Top 10 nationally. Tied for 12th at NCAA II National Championships and placed ninth at regionals. GNAC Player of the Year for second straight season. Took medalist honors at three regular-season tournaments. Second-team GCAA All-American and first-team West Region all-star as junior. Led team with school-record 71.3 scoring average, helping Vikings place eighth at nationals. Tied for 28th at nationals and tied for sixth at West Regional as Western placed second. During two-year career, had 14 top 10 finishes and 17 rounds in 60s. Two-year letter winner.
Track - Outdoor - Anthony Tomsich, Middle Distance, Junior, Fairbanks, AK/West Valley
Competed at NCAA II National Championships in 1,500 meters, placing 11th. Ranked sixth nationally in GNAC-record time of 3:47.21. Did not compete last year because of Achilles' tendinitis. All-American in 2007, finishing fourth at nationals. Two-year letter winner.
Jordan Welling, Distance, Sophomore, Burlington, WA/Burlington-Edison
Competed at NCAA II National Championships in 10,000, placing 12th in 31:24.50. Set school records in 5,000 (14:16.90) and 10,000 (30:02.33). First-team College Sports Information Directors of America/ESPN The Magazine College Division District 8 Academic All-Star and GNAC academic all-star. Two-year letter winner.
FEMALE
Cross Country - Sarah Porter, No.1, Sophomore, Hockinson, WA/Hockinson
USTFCCCA All-America, helping Vikings finish 10th at NCAA II National Championships, placing 13th individually. Earned West Region all-star honors, finishing 13th at regional meet. GNAC all-star for second straight year, placing second at league meet. Two-year letter winner.
Soccer - Katie Warner, Defender, Senior, Burlington, WA/Burlington-Edison
First-team NSCAA All-American. Helped Vikings to 17-3-2 record, victory total being school record, GNAC championship and title game of NCAA II Far West Regional, losing 1-0 to eventual national champion Seattle Pacific. Had 16-game unbeaten streak, school's longest since 1986. Played key role on defense that allowed just 0.70 goals per game and posted eight shutouts. First-team NSCAA West Region and Daktronics Far West Region all-star. First-team GNAC all-star for second straight year and named league academic all-star. Four-year letter winner.
Volleyball - Angie Alvord, Middle Blocker, Senior, Laurel, WA/Meridian
First-team AVCA All-American, Daktronics and AVCA West Region all-star and unanimous GNAC all-star. GNAC Player of the Year. Helped Vikings to 21-3 record. Alvord led team in kills (335, 3.68), attack percentage (.320), blocks (81, 0.89) and service aces (49, 0.54). Paced GNAC in aces and ranked second in attack percentage, points (4.78), kills and blocks. Finished four-year career tied for fifth among school leaders in aces (155), seventh in attack percentage (.299), eighth in blocks (360) and 13th in kills (860). Four-year letter winner.
Basketball - Amanda Dunbar, Guard, Sophomore, Marysville, WA/Marysville-Pilchuck
Second-team GNAC all-star. Helped Vikings to 19-9 record and first round of NCAA II West Regional. Led team in scoring with 13.1 average and assists with 3.2 average. Ranked third in the GNAC in 3-point makes per game (2.0), sixth in scoring, seventh in assists and eighth in free-throw accuracy (78.8 percent, 63-of-80). Scored 37 points, second-highest total in school history, at Northwest Nazarene, connecting on 12-of-19 field goals, being 7-of-14 from 3-point range. MVP at WWU Great Western Shootout. Two-year letter winner.
Track - Indoor - Emily Warman, Jumps, Freshman, Sedro-Woolley, WA/Sedro-Woolley
Became first indoor national champion in school history, winning triple jump at NCAA II meet with mark of 39-3 to earn USTFCCCA All-America honors. Set school records in long jump (18-10) and triple jump (39-3). Letter winner.
Rowing - Audrey Coon, Varsity 8 - No.7, Senior, Kenai, AK/Kenai Central
Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association All-American and for the third straight year a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete, helping Vikings to an unprecedented fifth consecutive title in varsity eight and team categories at NCAA II National Championships. Team captain. Rowed with development team last summer, winning gold medals in the open lightweight eight and intermediate lightweight four and a silver in the intermediate pair. First-team ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA College Division All-American after being second-team pick in 2008. ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA District 8 and GNAC at-large academic all-star, all for third straight year. Named Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference all-star. Helped varsity eight to perfect 10 wins in 10 races with victories at nationals, Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship Regatta and NCRC Championships. Four-year letter winner.
Golf - Kaitlin Parker, No.1, Senior, Marysville, WA/Marysville-Pilchuck
Tied for 15th at NCAA II National Championships and tied for fifth place at West Super Regional. Tied for fifth at regionals as junior after transferring from Skagit Valley CC. Named NGCA West Region all-star for second straight year. Had 77.8 scoring average. Placed among top three at five tournaments with two firsts, two seconds and one third. Two-year letter winner.
Softball - Michelle Wrigley, Outfielder, Sophomore, Bothell, WA/Inglemoor
First-team all-GNAC pick for second straight year. Batted .360, leading Vikings for second consecutive season. Also paced team in hits (54), runs scored (37), multiple-hit games (17), on-base percentage (.410), slugging percentage (.433) and total bases (65), and tied for lead in doubles (7) and triples (2). Her eight-game hitting streak also was a Western high. Two-year letter winner.
Track - Outdoor - Sarah Porter, Distance Runner, Sophomore, Hockinson, WA/Hockinson
Earned USTFCCCA All-America honors in two events at NCAA II National Championships, placing fifth in 10,000 (36:02.72) and seventh in 5,000 (17:02.19). Automatic qualifier in both events. Ranked fifth nationally in both with school record times of 16:50.87 in 5,000 and 34:58.37 in 10,000. Two-year letter winner.
WWU ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
1954 Ken Swalwell - Football, Men's Track & Field, Baseball1955 Bruce Randall - Football, Men's Basketball1956 Ted Whan - Men's Track & Field1957 Bruce Randall - Football, Baseball1958 Fred Emerson - Football, Baseball1959 Sam Martin - Football1960 Jerry Joyce - Men's Track & Field1961 Don Trethewey - Men's Track & Field1962 Mike Kirk - Men's Basketball1963 Jim Adams - Men's Basketball1964 Bob Thomas - Men's Basketball1965 Keith Shugarts - Football, Men's Basketball1966 Jack Nighbert - Men's Basketball, Baseball1967 Steve Richardson - Football, Baseball1968 Dave Weedman - Football1969 Gary Reiersgard - Men's Basketball1970 Mike Clayton - Men's Basketball1971 Gary White - Men's Basketball1972 Lee Andersen - Wrestling1973 Mike Franza - Men's Basketball1974 Mike Vorce - Men's Track & Field1975 Chuck Price - Men's Basketball1976 Charmon Odle - Women's Basketball1977 Pat Locker - Football1978 Bruce Manclark - Men's Track & Field, Men's Cross Country1979 Rohn McCoy - Men's Basketball1981 Jo Metzger - Women's Basketball1982 Marilyn Thibodeau - Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field1983 Wendy Malich - Women's Track & Field1984 Joan Williamson - Women's Track & Field1985 Dave Peterson - Football Genevie Pfueller - Women's Cross Country and Track & Field1986 Carmen Dolfo - Women's Basketball Allen James - Men's Track & Field1987 Kim Nix - Men's Track & Field and Football Hollie Watson - Women's Track & Field1988 James Johnson - Men's Basketball Shelly Borovich - Women's Volleyball and Track & Field1989 Peter LaBarge - Football Anna Rabel - Women's Basketball1990 Peter LaBarge - Men's Soccer Lorrie Post - Women's Volleyball1991 Peter LaBarge - Men's Soccer Scott Lohr - Football Lorrie Post - Women's Volleyball1992 Jeff Van Kleeck - Men's Cross Country & Track Joanie Armstrong - Women's Crew1993 Shane Volkmann - Football Lynton Hyde - Football Kris Maraveller - Women's Cross Country & Track1994 Dwayne Kirkley - Men's Basketball Brandi Stevenson - Women's Track1995 Bill Christensen - Football Gina Sampson - Women's Basketball1996 Orlondo Steinauer - Football Gina Sampson - Women's Basketball1997 Chris Nicholl - Football Amy Cameron - Women's Track1998 Mark Spencer - Football Cathy Johnson - Fastpitch1999 Joel Skarbo - Men's Golf Devin Kemper - Men's Track Celeste Hill - Women's Basketball2000 Ben Clampitt - Football Celeste Hill, Women's Basketball Craig Welty - Men's Golf2001 Erik Totten - Football Michelle Parker - Volleyball2002 Scott Mitchell - Football Shannon Rowland - Volleyball2003 Mike Palm - Men's Basketball Liz Bishop - Volleyball Ashlee Vincent - Women's Cross Country and Track2004 Nicola Parker - Volleyball Kurt Hartmaier - Men's Cross Country and Track Josh Griesse - Men's Crew2005 Michael Koenen - Football Tim Feenstra - Men's Golf Julia Gamache - Women's Rowing2006 Grant Dykstra - Men's Basketball Katja Trygg - Women's Golf2007 Anthony Tomsich - Men's Track and Cross Country Courtney Schneider - Volleyball Lindsay Mann-King - Women's Rowing2008 Courtney Schneider - Volleyball Sean Packer - Men's Golf2009 Ira Graham - Men's Basketball Jake Koppenberg - Men's Golf Sarah Porter - Women's Cross Country and Track Audrey Coon - Women's Rowing
