June 26, 2009
DAVIS, Calif. - A total of 24 UC Davis student-athletes have earned Big West Academic All-Conference honors for the 2009 spring season, it was announced Friday by the conference office. The Aggie women's track and field team had the most student-athletes honored with five, while the women's water polo and men's track and field team each placed four on their respective sports lists.
A total of 196 student-athletes earned the all-academic honors among the nine-team conference that sponsors nine spring sports. To be eligible for such distinction, student-athletes must have maintained a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average or better, completed one full academic year at the member institution prior to the season (i.e. at least a sophomore academic standing), and competed in at least 50 percent of their team's contests.
Women's track and field had the most overall honorees as a total of 50 student-athletes earned distinction. From UC Davis, juniors Tessa Fraser, Tiffany Knox and Alison Stoakley, and sophomores Mina Mohamadi and Ofunne Okwudiafor were honored.
UC Davis women's water polo and men's track and field each landed four on their respective lists. Senior Lindsay Kiyama, juniors Ashley Chandler and Dana Nelsen and sophomore Dakotah Mohr represented water polo. Track and field included juniors Ben Nelson and Scott Himmelberger, and sophomores David Buscho and Will Guthrie. Only UC Riverside had more honored in men's track and field.
The men's and women's tennis teams each honored three. The women boasted seniors Randi Schuler, Andrea Phillips and Emma Shapiro, while the men's honorees were senior Michael Reiser, junior Tyler Lee and sophomore Nick Lopez.
The women's golf team and baseball team each had two student-athletes honored. Junior Lauren Dobashi and sophomore Katie Sisler made UC Davis one of just three conference schools with women's golf honorees. The Aggies also joined UCR as the only conference school with multiple women's golf recipients. The baseball team was represented by redshirt freshman Eric Johnson and sophomore Daniel Cepin.
Softball's lone representative was sophomore Bianca Castillo.
The 2008-09 season is the second academic year in which UC Davis is an official member of the Big West Conference.
