CLU Sports

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - In order to recognize its student-athletes for their performances in the classroom, the California Lutheran University Scholar-Athlete Society honored 82 students from 18 teams on Saturday morning. All of the student-athletes honored earned over a 3.4 GPA for the academic year.

Each of the 82 students and their parents were welcomed to a breakfast on Saturday where the athletes were inducted into the 2008 CLU Scholar-Athlete Society.

Freshman Richard Michelin (3.72) earned the highest GPA in the group of six qualifying baseball players including fellow freshmen Travis Dadigian, David Brethouwer and Colin Gray along with juniors Chris Brouilette and Landon Smith.

Four underclassmen earned 3.54 for GPA's or better with sophomore Cameron Mitchell (3.77) recording the highest followed by freshmen teammates Mike Tobin, Cassidy Hallagin and Greg Grimm.

Seniors Mary Placido (3.79) and Rachel Bates (3.61) qualified for Scholar status in their final season with the Regals basketball team. Teammates Cheryl Lee, Christina Cherry, Kourtney Jones and Meghan Dahl also qualified.

Seven Cross Country members earned the honor with Scott Peterson (3.69) and Jessica Schroeder (3.90) leading the Kingsmen and Regals squads, respectively. Brian Kahovec, Gerardo Hidalgo, Ray Ostrander, Megan Lowrey and Erin Schroeder round the group.

The Kingsmen football team landed six scholar athletes led by freshman Jon Swan (3.75). Senior Jeff Briscoe, juniors Hector DeAlba and Jesse Matlock, along with freshman Sam Lyche and Wes Garwood also made the cut.

A trio of freshman golfers excelled in the classroom with Jay Brink (4.00) earning the highest GPA of any Cal Lutheran male athlete this year. Standout Cameron Hurdus and Andrew Atkins complete the list.

The SCIAC Champion men's soccer team landed five seniors and seven overall. Brady Wright (3.74) led this group which includes fellow graduting members Brandon Higa, Greg Young and Scott Jones along with junior Kyle Smithe and freshman Mike Zubach.

Women's Soccer equaled the highest team total with eight making the list. Sophomore Ashlei James (3.88) led the way with teammates Marisa Zambetti, Jennifer LaMoure, Kellie Chase, Lauren Hess, Michelle Hedgcock, Krystle VanDeusen and Alyssa Yamaguchi joining James.

The Kingsmen and Regals swim programs combined for eight total with freshmen Megan Springer (3.93) and Michael Blanchard (3.82) leading their respective programs. On the women's side, Jillian Friend, April Coyle, Kelley Fry and Grace Whang earned 3.5 GPA's or better. Senior Sam Walton and Jared Vermillion round out the men's group.

Kate Dehmer (3.97) and Ryan Lassila (3.41) led the women's and men's tennis teams, respectively. Regals teammates Chelsea Williams, Kailyn Ellison and Eila Olmstead finish the list.

Men's track and field had multiple athletes including freshmen Andrew Parrone (3.83) and Tim Chandler (3.77). Five others from the team qualified for multiple sports.

Women's track and field freshman Molly Clancy was one of two female athletes to earn a perfect 4.0. Also earning high marks in the classroom is freshman Sarah Koerting (3.925). Senior Casey Anderson, junior Jordan Bebber and freshman Amy Shibel also earned academic honors. Two others on the team participated on multiple athletic teams.

The Regals Volleyball squad performed well on and off the court with eight of its 17 players recording 3.4-plus GPA's. SCIAC Freshman of the Year Allison Kerr (3.87) led the way. The list includes juniors Summer Plante-Newman and Kelsey Hart, sophomores Katie Wallace and Jenna Meligan, and freshmen Cara Ihde, Erin Exline and Kristen Lemmert.

Brian Condron, along with Vermillion and Blanchard (swimming/water polo) earned academic honors for the Kingsmen water polo team.

Bobby Sanders (4.0) was the third student-athlete to earn perfect marks. Senior teammates Stephanie Blanchard and Katie Windsor, sophomores Joy Cyprian and Meredith Butte, and freshman Rachel Hahn round out the Regals water polo team.

The group was formed in 2003 by the Alumni Relations office.