SPU Atheletes Make the Grades

When it comes to producing top scholar-athletes, few schools compare to Seattle Pacific University. During 1996, 23 athletes were recognized for their civic and academic achievements by assorted regional and national governing bodies. In the Pacific West Conference, SPU had 16 men and women who made various academic all-conference selections in the past year; no other school had more than eight. Twelve Seattle Pacific athletes were voted to their sport's respective academic all-region team, meaning that they were among the best in a nine-state section of the West, and one made Academic All-America. In most scholar-athlete awards, the Falcons are judged in comparison to other NCAA Division II, Division III or NAIA athletes. However, in two major areas they are graded along with those at Division I schools: For three consecutive years, from 1993-95, the NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Washington was an SPU athlete. Nominees from the University of Washington, Washington State, Gonzaga and Eastern Washington were also considered. In addition, the NCAA has honored six graduating Falcons in the past 10 years with prestigious post-graduate scholarships.

Cross Country, Soccer Teams Makes Nationals

Falcon women's cross country and men's soccer - both relatively young teams - surprised the rest of the nation with strong fall performances in 1996. The cross country team, featuring four freshmen and sophomores among its top scorers, finished in eighth place at the NCAA Division II Championships November 23 in Arcata, California. Freshman Heather Wallace, a native of Clayton, California, was the Falcons' top scorer for the season. Her biggest victory came at the Pacific West Championships as Doris Heritage's squad won its third conference title in four years. In soccer, Seattle Pacific staged a late-season rally to make the NCAA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. A 1-1 overtime tie with Washington, the No. 2 team in Division I, clinched the bid, then the Falcons proceeded to upset California State-Bakersfield in the playoffs before bowing to eventual champion Grand Canyon in overtime. Cliff McCrath's team included 10 freshmen and seven sophomores on the roster. The women's volleyball team won its final 10 conference matches and finished second in the PacWest with a 17-9 overall record.

Basketball Teams Strong From the Start

Both the Seattle Pacific University women's and men's basketball teams entered the New Year in strong fashion and on the verge of national rankings. The SPU women stunned two national powers in the opening weeks of the season, snapping Portland State's 50-game home win streak and later overpowering a No.5-ranked Western Washington 94-74 on the road. Meanwhile, the men owned a lead over Washington State for the first 30 minutes before falling 87-77 in Pullman. The Falcons then reeled off five wins in the next six games before the Christmas break. Both the men and women will face Oregon's Willamette University in the annual Homecoming doubleheader February 8 at Brougham Pavilion. The men will host their most pivotal PacWest game January 9 when No. 5-ranked and arch-rival Alaska-Anchorage visits. The women, who are aiming for their first-ever conference crown, will face No. 24 Western New Mexico February 13 and No. 23 Montana State-Billings February 15. Please read our disclaimer. Send any questions, comments or correspondence about Response to jgilnett@spu.edu or call 206-281-2051. Copyright © 1999 University Communications, Seattle Pacific University. Seattle Pacific University Office of University Communications 3307 Third Avenue West Seattle, Washington 98119-1997 United States of America