15 Nanooks recognized as GNAC FAR scholar-athletes
July 29, 2013
Chris Brooks
907-474-6805
Fifteen Alaska Nanooks were recognized for academic excellence on Tuesday by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference as the league office announced this year's GNAC Faculty Athletic Representative's Scholar-Athlete award recipients.
The award, now in its second year, is given annually to the most outstanding scholar-athletes at each of the GNAC's 10 universities. To qualify, one must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.85. All student-athletes listed on any GNAC team, regardless of whether the sport is sponsored by the league, are eligible for the prestigious award.
Of the 15 Nanooks, two maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA as freshman runner and skier Michael Fehrenbach (Saint Märgen, Germany/Mechanical Engineering) and outgoing senior skier Theresia Schnurr (Buhlertal, Germany/Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) were among 14 from around the GNAC to hold the top grade-point average.
"We are very pleased and proud that 15 Nanook student-athletes have been recognized today for their exceptional academic achievement, including two who have earned 4.0 GPAs," athletic director Gary Gray said. "This prestigious award is an honor not only for the individual student-athletes but also for their coaches, advisors, and the many other people who have played a mentoring role in each student-athlete's support system."
A pair of Capital One Academic All-Americans® are also on the list in sophomore shooter Ryan Anderson (Great Falls, Va./Biological Sciences) and sophomore skier/junior runner Alyson McPhetres (Chugiak, Alaska/Spanish and Geological Engineering) were tabbed to the list. Both were repeat honorees.
Other two-time awardees included hockey sophomore Sean Cahill (Calgary, Alberta/Economics), sophomore shooter Mats Eriksson (Malung, Sweden/Business Administration), hockey senior Adam Henderson (Whitehorse, Yukon/Business Administration), sophomore swimmer Danielle Lyons (Prince Albert, Saskatchewan/Biological Sciences) and senior skier and runner Marit Rjabov (Voru, Estonia/Psychology).
A total of 139 GNAC student-athletes were recognized and Alaska was fifth among the league. Montana State Billings led the GNAC with 21, followed by Northwest Nazarene (18), Alaska Anchorage (17) and Seattle Pacific (16).
A FAR is a member of the faculty at a NCAA member institution who has been designated to serve as a liaison between the institution and the athletic department. The FAR serves as a representative of the institution in conference and NCAA affairs.
The role of the FAR is "to ensure that the academic institution establishes and maintains the appropriate balance between academics and intercollegiate athletics."
Men
Ryan Anderson* (Rifle, Biological Sciences, So., 3.9, Great Falls, Va.)
Sean Cahill* (Hockey, Economics, So., 3.96, Calgary, Alberta)
Mats Eriksson* (Rifle, Business Administration, So., 3.97, Malung, Sweden)
Michael Fehrenbach (Cross Country/Skiing, Mechanical Engineering, Fr. 4.0, Saint Margen, Germany
Adam Henderson* (Hockey, Business Administration, Sr., 3.9, Whitehorse, Yukon)
Nolan Huysmans (Hockey, Business Administration, Fr., 3.94, Ponoka, Alberta)
Zach Ngawaka (Basketball, History, Sr., 3.89, Keysborough, Australia)
Stefan Tica (Basketball, Business Administration, Jr., 3.85, Belgrade, Serbia)
Women
Linnea Doumas (Swimming, Foreign Languages, Fr., 3.93, Tucson, Ariz.)
Julia Ebner (Cross Country/Skiing, Business Administration, Fr., 3.96, Furtwangen, Germany)
Sara Falconer (Cross Country/Skiing, Civil Engineering, Fr., 3.85, Anchorage, Alaska)
Danielle Lyons* (Swimming, Biological Sciences, So., 3.94, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan)
Alyson McPhetres* (Cross Country/Skiing, Spanish & Geological Engineering, Jr., 3.93, Chugiak, Alaska)
Marit Rjabov* (Cross Country/Skiing, Psychology, Sr., 3.94, Voru, Estonia)
Theresia Schnurr (Skiing, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Sr., 4.0, Buhlertal, Germany)
*- repeat honoree