Thirteen Yellowjackets Receive Academic Honors (May 7, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Thirteen spring sports student-athletes from Montana State-Billings received Pacific West Conference Academic All-Conference recognition on Saturday.  The conference announced 38 Academic All-Conference winners for its five spring sports, with Yellowjackets claiming over a third of the spots.

The spring academic teams included Academic All-Conference teams for softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s golf.  To qualify, student-athletes had to have at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA and be in at least their second season of competition.  First year players were not eligible.

The Yellowjacket softball team placed seven players on the 17-member Academic All-Conference Softball Team.  Senior Layne Pavey (Spokane, WA) had the second highest GPA in the conference with a 3.91 in Sociology.  She is a three-time Academic All-Conference selection.  MSU Billings had six repeat Academic All-Conference qualifiers. 

Stephanie Cochrun (Sr., Lake Stevens, WA) earned her third Academic All-Conference honor with a 3.71 GPA in Elementary Education.  Megan McCrae’s (Sr., Brandon, Manitoba) 3.53 GPA in Sociology also placed her on the team for the third time.  Christy Wankel (Jr., Great Falls, MT) has a 3.45 GPA in Art Education and is a two-time selection.  Theresa Campbell (Sr., Great Falls, MT) made the team for the third time with a 3.42 GPA in Business Management.  Anna Henderson’s (Jr., Frenchtown, MT) 3.33 GPA in Education earned her a second year on the team.  Aysha Blatter (So., Richland, WA) earned Academic All-Conference honors for the first time with a 3.43 GPA in Business. 

Four Yellowjacket tennis players earned Academic All-Conference honors.  Margot Merrill-Johnson (Sr., Salt Lake City, UT) topped all tennis players with a 3.90 GPA in Sociology.  Merrill-Johnson was an Academic All-America First Team selection in soccer last fall.  Also making the tennis academic teams were Tia Smith (So., Idaho Falls, ID) with a 3.70 GPA in Chemistry, Brianne Roney (So., Cody, WY) with a 3.54 GPA in Music, and Seth Maristuen (Jr., Havre, MT) with a 3.42 GPA in Business.

Lady Jackets took two of the four Academic All-Conference positions for women’s golf.  Amanda Rabenberg (Jr., Livingston, MT) had the second highest golf GPA with a 3.72 in Business.  Julie Clifford (Jr., Forsyth, MT) made the team with a 3.54 GPA in Chemistry.