Kindbom receives ‘Breaking the Silence’ award
Head football coach Larry Kindbom was presented the 2009 Grant Teaff “Breaking the Silence” Award at the 2010 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Convention in Orlando, Fla. The award was given because of his dedication to the prevention of youth suicide.
In January 2009, Kindbom kicked off a seven-month awareness program at Washington University. He began training for his first marathon, and in doing so, he asked his players to donate a penny to the Jason Foundation for each mile he ran in training and in the marathon.
Men’s basketball improves to 14-2
The No. 3 men’s basketball team posted victories at Case Western Reserve University (66-61) Jan. 22 and at Carnegie Mellon University (81-60) Jan. 24 to move into a tie in the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings.
Graduate student point guard Sean Wallis averaged 16 points, four rebounds and 3.5 assists per game to earn UAA Athlete of the Week honors for the third time this season. WUSTL (14-2, 4-1 UAA) continues its four-game road swing at the University of Rochester at 8 p.m. (ET) Friday, Jan. 2.
Women’s basketball enjoying 15-game winning streak
The No. 3 women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to 15 with a pair of conference road wins last week. The Bears defeated Case Western Reserve University, 65-57, Jan. 22, and Carnegie Mellon University, 64-57, Jan. 24.
Graduate student Jaimie McFarlin posted a double-double in both games to lead the Bears. WUSTL (15-1, 5-0 UAA) returns to action at 6 p.m. (ET) Friday, Jan. 29, at the University of Rochester.
Swimming and diving sweeps Principia
In their final dual meet of the season, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams picked up a pair of victories over Principia College Jan. 22, in Elsah, Ill.
The men’s squad took first in 10 different events against Principia, while the WUSTL women had the top finisher in six events.
It was the final warm-up for the Bears before the 2010 University Athletic Association Championships Feb. 17-20 at Emory University.
Track and field competes at Snow Bird Open
The men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams both placed second at the Illinois College Snow Bird Open Jan. 23, in Jacksonville, Ill.
Senior Chris Malaya paced the men’s squad with a pair of strong performances. He won the 400-meter dash with a time of 50.38, and ran the leadoff leg for the first-place 4×400-meter relay team, which posted a time of 3:23.92.
On the women’s side, junior Sangeeta Hardy won the 800-meter run with a mark of 2:25.17.
Both teams return to action with the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Engineer Invitational Saturday, Jan. 30, in Terre Haute, Ind.
Jewish Review tabs seven WUSTL athletes for all-America team
Six members of the 2009 NCAA Division III national runner-up women’s soccer team and senior Nat Zenner of the men’s soccer team have been named to the Jewish Sports Review All-America Soccer Team.
Seniors Becca Heymann, Caryn Rosoff, and Libby Held joined freshman goalkeeper Clara Jaques and Zenner as first-team honorees, while sophomores Rachel Haas and Lee Ann Felder were named honorable mention by the publication.
Celebration of champions
The 2009 NCAA Division III national champion volleyball team will be honored with a Celebration of Champions at 3 p.m. Feb. 7 in the WU Field House. The ceremony will begin promptly following the conclusion of the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader against Emory University.
As a part of the celebration festivities, WUSTL will honor its 2009 NCAA Division III national runner-up women’s soccer team, which advanced to the NCAA championship game for the first time in program history.
The event will include remarks from Washington University coaches, administrators and student-athletes, a presentation of championship rings to the 2009 volleyball team, and the unveiling of the 2009 national championship banner.
Free national championship posters will be available to all fans in attendance, and a limited number of championship t-shirts will be available to WU students and faculty with an ID. The Bears will hold an autograph session immediately following the event.
The Washington University volleyball team captured its NCAA record 10th national championship with a 3-1 victory over rival Juniata College Nov. 21, 2009, in University Heights, Ohio. It marked the third national championship for WU head coach Rich Luenemann and the team’s first since 2007.
The Bears boasted three American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America selections last season, with freshman libero Kelly Pang garnering National Freshman of the Year and first-team All-America honors, while senior middle hitter Erin Albers and freshman setter Marilee Fisher were named second-team All-Americans.
Luenemann was named the AVCA Division III National Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.
The women’s soccer team fell to No. 1 and defending national champion Messiah College, 1-0, in the national championship game Dec. 5, 2009, in San Antonio.
The Bears tied a school record with a 17-4-3 overall record, and won their fourth-straight University Athletic Association Championship.
Seniors Libby Held and Caryn Rosoff garnered National Collegiate Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America honors.