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IIAC Announces Finalists for Scholar-Athletes of the Year


The finalists for the Johanna Olson IIAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award are former Loras College basketball student-athlete Lori Obendorf, former Nebraska Wesleyan track and field runner Katie Krick and former Wartburg College cross country/track and field runner Jaclyn Rittgers. Three other nominees were put forward by their schools -- former Central College soccer player Sydney Lunardi, former University of Dubuque basketball player Emily Brinker and former Luther College softball student-athlete Amanda Witzlib.
 
The finalists for the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award are former Central College football player Riley Gray, former Coe College football student-athlete Gavin Glenn and former Luther College wrestler Justin Kreiter. One additional nominee was put forward by their school -- former Wartburg College football player Patrick Rooney.

The finalists were chosen by a committee made up of faculty athletics representatives and sports information directors. The finalists now go before the full group of nine faculty athletics representatives. This year's Female and Male Scholar-Athlete winners will be announced Wednesday, January 31 at www.iowaconference.com.
 
A short profile of each nominee follows below.
 
About the IIAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards
The IIAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards were first presented in December 2001 for the 2000-01 academic year. To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete shall have graduated or exhausted their athletic eligibility during the academic year for which the award is given. The nominee must have demonstrated a high level of accomplishment and achievement in a varsity sport, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), and show evidence of scholarly achievements, community service involvement and leadership. Both awards were named for former Wartburg and Iowa Conference sports information director Duane Schroeder in May 2002. The women’s award was renamed in December 2013 for former Luther College student-athlete Johanna Olson – the inaugural winner of the women’s award – who lost a courageous battle with cancer in January 2013.
 
About Johanna Olson
The IIAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of the late Johanna Olson, a former cross country and track & field student-athlete at Luther College who was the inaugural recipient of the award. Olson battled brain cancer for over 15 years before her fight ended on January 3, 2013 at age 33. She was originally diagnosed with a brain tumor as a college freshman in 1997 but went on to win the 2000 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship three years to the day after her initial brain surgery. In addition to the national title in cross country, she won three Iowa Conference Individual Championships and three IIAC Most Valuable Runner awards (1999, 2000, 2001). In track and field, she was the 2001 IIAC Most Valuable Performer, earning All-America honors in the 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs. Olson was also a member of the 2001 distance medley relay team that captured the indoor national title. She was named the United States Track Coaches Association (USTCA) regional and national Athlete of the Year in both cross country and track and field in 2000-01. In 1999, Olson was presented the Honda Awards Inspirational Athlete of the Year after returning from radiation treatments to compete at the national level.
 
About Duane Schroeder
The IIAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of the late Duane Schroeder, former sports information director at Wartburg College. Schroeder served as Wartburg’s SID for 43 years until his retirement in 2000. Upon his retirement from his sports information duties, he was named SID Emeritus and served as Wartburg’s News Director until 2001. During much of his four decades at Wartburg, Schroeder served as the IIAC’s information director and secretary/treasurer.
 
Previous IIAC Scholar-Athletes of the Year
 
Year Duane Schroeder Male Scholar-Athlete Johanna Olson Female Scholar-Athlete
2016-17 Announced January 31, 2018 Announced January 31, 2018
2015-16 Zach Frey, Loras, track & field Kaitlin Phillips, Loras, basketball; Clare Slagel, Luther, Swimming
2014-15 Daniel Bonthius, Wartburg, track & field Bailey Wilson, Wartburg, volleyball
2013-14 Kyle Freischlag, Central, tennis Ramey Sieck, Wartburg, volleyball
2012-13 Wyatt Hanus, Dubuque, football Shari Huber, Luther, softball
2011-12 Michael Zweifel, Dubuque, football Kelsey (Kittleson) Millonig, Luther, softball
2010-11 Ryan Schisler, Coe, baseball Jill (Ziskovsky) Halcomb, Central, track & field
2009-10 Tyler Burkle, Coe, wrestling Hannah Baker, Wartburg, track & field
2008-09 Alec Bonander, Luther, wrestling Kelsey Steffens, Wartburg, volleyball/track & field
2007-08 Kyle Duchman, Wartburg, football Kristy Upah, Coe, volleyball
2006-07 Adam Bohach, Luther, cross country/track & field Abby Erion, Loras, track & field
2005-06 Adam Duerfeldt, Central, baseball Katie Pederson, Central, volleyball/track & field
2004-05 Garrett South, Luther, wrestling Amy Ernst, Coe, softball
2003-04 Brent Showalter, Wartburg, track & field Raegan (Schultz) Wagner, Central, volleyball/track & field
2002-03 Jesse Harris, Simpson, basketball Jessica Jensen, Buena Vista, basketball/track & field
2001-02 Dale Biser, Cornell, football/track & field Brianne Schoonover, Wartburg, basketball/track & field
2000-01 Tim Vinyard, Coe, football/baseball Johanna Olson, Luther, cross country/track & field
 
 
WOMEN’S FINALISTS
Lori Obendorf * Basketball * Loras College * Naperville, Ill./Metea Valley
Obendorf was a two-year captain of the women's basketball team at Loras, earning Iowa Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors three times and being named first team all-conference twice during her standout career. Obendorf stands 10th all-time at Loras in scoring (1,015 points) and became the tenth member of the school's 1,000-point club. She also finished second all-time at Loras in rebounds (919) and third all-time in blocked shots (243). Among her scholarly achievements and awards was being being one of 17 student-athletes named to the 2017 College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Team. She was on the Academic Dean’s Top 20 GPA’s list for the senior class at Loras. Obendorf was also an honors program participant, where she took part in a three-year cultural interdisciplinary project. The project included academic research, cultural competency training, and community engagement. During her time at Loras she served on a mission trip to Honduras and a teen service trip to Michigan. Obendorf actively volunteered at many organizations such as the local women's center, children's museum, elementary schools, family centers, food pantries and Special Olympics. 
Head Coach Justin Heinzen: "If there’s one word to describe Lori and her approach to everything she touches, it is ‘perfectionist’. Demonstrated by her flawless grade point average and proven by the fact that no single person in my thirteen years of college coaching put more time in the gym than Lori." "She is a living example of the type of person the Loras College mission statements allude to."

Katie Krick * Track and Field * Nebraska Wesleyan University * Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Pius X
Krick was a three-time national champion, running on the winning NCAA D-III 4x400-meter relay teams at the 2016 and 2017 outdoor championships and the 2016 indoor championships. To go along with her three national titles, Krick also garnered five All-American honors. At the 2017 central region indoor track and field championships she was named Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Krick's academic and athletic success earned her the NCAA Elite 90 award for indoor track and field. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 90 championships. Her distinguished career also placed her as one of 30 finalists for the 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year award. Krick earned Academic All-American accolades from CoSIDA and was a three-time member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. At Nebraska Wesleyan University she was named to the Dean's List, a Lambda Pi Eta communications studies honorary and a Phi Kappa Phi Academic honorary. Her voluntary community service activities included "Catholic Social Services," where she assisted in refugee transition to U.S. life, Envision Coordinator, where she worked with NWU students to engage in dialogue about their educational journeys, and she was the NWU Catholic President. 
Head Coach Ted Bulling: "Katie sets a great example for our program's student-athletes with her determination, consistent effort and sheer hard work. Katie sets high goals for herself, analyzes what she needs to do in order to accomplish those goals and then sets out with dogged determination to reach them."

Jaclyn Rittgers * Cross Country/Track and Field * Wartburg College * Gowrie, Iowa/Prairie Valley
Rittgers was a nine-time all-conference performer during her time at Wartburg. In her senior season she garnered all-region honors in outdoor track and field and became an All-American as a member of the distance medley relay. She was also a member of three track and field Iowa Conference team championships. Rittgers scholarly achievements begin with being a recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition. She was a Wartburg College Dean's Honor Cord recipient, awarded to the individuals with the top 40 GPAs in the graduating class. Ritggers was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society and was a recipient of the society's Honor Cord, which is earned through service points and GPA standards. Rittgers' community service included being a volunteer at Trinity Regional Medical Center, St. Mary's Catholic Church and volunteering as an in-home therapy aid to community members with multiple sclerosis and post-heart surgery. She also participated in Wartburg's Dance Marathon, S.A.F.E (Suicide Awareness for Everyone), Peer Helper and on-campus mentorship. 
Head Coach Marcus Newsom: "Jaclyn is a young woman with very high morals, values, and character. Her goals for herself or group never sacrifice her level of integrity. She is a student that leads by example, both in and out of the classroom."

OTHER NOMINEES
Sydney Lunardi * Soccer * Central College * Bettendorf, Iowa/Davenport Assumption
  • All-Iowa Conference first-team in 2013 and 2014, second-team in 2015 and honorable mention in 2016.
  • National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCA) All-North Region third-team honoree in 2015.
  • Awarded Central's Most Outstanding Newcomer in 2013 and Most Valuable Player in 2015 and 2016.
  • Engaged in voluntary service opportunities that provided blankets to nursing homes, organized activities for underprivileged children and engaged with residents of the Fountain West Health Center.
  • Head Coach Michael Kobylinski: "During her four-year career she was one of our most accomplished players of all time, but more than that, she achieved IIAC all-academic team membership."

Emily Brinker * Basketball * University of Dubuque * Baraboo, Wis./Baraboo
  • All-Iowa Conference first-team selection in 2017, second-team honoree in 2016 and honorable mention in 2015.
  • Member of the 2014-15 team that claimed Dubuque's first ever Iowa Conference Women's Basketball Championship.
  • Awarded Dubuque's Most Valuable Player award in 2016 and 2017. 
  • Honoree of Dubuque's Dean's List and a three-year member of the Iowa Conference All-Academic team.
  • Organized women's basketball team in annual "clean-A-Thon" of local parks in Dubuque and mentored youth in the Dubuque area.
  • Head Coach Mark Noll: "Emily led by example and always put the team first. She put in countless hours in the gym and developed a positive rapport with not only her teammates but the coaching staff as well."

Amanda Witzlib * Softball * Luther College * Germantown, Wis./Germantown
  • Two-time Iowa Conference Pitcher of the Year and first-team selection (2015, 2016).
  • 2015 and 2016 first-team All-Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year
  • National Fastpitch Coaching Association (NFCA) All-American Scholar Athlete in 2014 and 2015. 
  • Vice President of Luther's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) which hosted Special Olympics Unity Bowl.
  • Volunteered with the Salvation Army, Northeast Iowa Humane Society, Luther Athletes Serving Others and Luther College Phon-a-thon fundraiser
  • Head Coach Renae Hartl: "Although Amanda has received many individual honors throughout her college softball career, she would tell you
    the team’s accomplishments are the only ones that mattered."

MEN’S FINALISTS
Riley Gray * Football * Central College * West Des Moines, Iowa/Waukee
Gray a two-time team captain (2015, 2016) was a first-team All-Iowa Conference quarterback as a senior. In that senior year he threw for 2,478 yards with 29 touchdowns and a 156.3% passer efficiency rating. He compiled 3,095 total yards of offense and nine additional touchdowns on the ground. Gray holds Central College records for longest pass (99yds) and most passing attempts in a single game (43). He graduated Cum Laude and earned the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition. Gray was also named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society for academic achievement. His community service included leadership roles at Fellowship of Christian Athlete summer camps. He volunteered at iExplore, a "STEM" event at Central College, the Children and Family Urban Youth Ministries and the Neil Smith National Wildlife Refuge. Gray also volunteered in leadership roles on campus that include SAAC, FCA and the Student Senate. 
Head Coach Jeff McMartin: "He is an empathetic, mature, and compassionate young adult. Riley has outstanding leadership and communication skills and works well with all groups of people. He understands how to work successfully within the team concept. Riley Gray is the only player in my thirteen years as a head coach who has been selected to serve as a team captain in both his junior and senior seasons." 

Gavin Glenn * Football * Coe College * Adel, Iowa/ADM
As a captain of the 2016 football team, Glenn set a Coe College record for passing touchdowns in a season (27) on his way to leading the team to an 10-0 regular season record. Glenn was selected as a second-team All-Iowa Conference quarterback in 2016 and finished his senior season with 2,714 yards of total offense, 2,589 of which came through the air. His scholarly achievements included graduating Cum Laude and being a member of the Coe College Dean's List. Glen was also honored as a 2016 CoSIDA All-District and All-American first-team selection. Community service activities Glenn took part in include Meals for the Heartland, reading at elementary schools, and volunteering at events for the Boys and Girls Club. 
Head Coach Tyler Staker: "Above and beyond the academic and athletic success, Gavin was an outstanding teammate, leader and person. He had a tremendous knack for being able to keep the mood light and fun yet still be able to hold his teammates accountable. He was a coach on the field and a natural motivator, earning the respect from his teammates and coaches through his actions and hard work."

Justin Kreiter * Wrestling * Luther College * Davenport, Iowa/North Scott
Kreiter concluded his Luther College career as a two-time All-American at 184lbs., taking fourth in 2016 and finishing runner-up in 2017. In 2016 and 2017 Kreiter claimed the Central Region title at 184lbs. He compiled a 95-25 career record and earned All-Iowa Conference honors three times. Academically, Kreiter was a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American (2016 and 2017) and earned the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. The NCAA awards up to 174 postgraduate scholarships annually. The scholarships are awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically and who are at least in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition. Kreiter was involved in community service opportunities consisting of Adopt a Highway, Luther Athletes Serving Others, Decorah Community Meal, and volunteer work with North Scott athletic teams. 
Head Coach Dave Mitchell: "Justin's accomplishments as an athlete, a scholar, and as an active community member provide an outstanding example for all student-athletes to follow. He has excelled in all three areas and he epitomizes the complete student-athlete as well or better than any other student-athlete in Luther College's rich wrestling history."

OTHER NOMINEES
Patrick Rooney * Football * Wartburg College * Bondurant, Iowa/Bondurant-Farrar
  • Three-Time Iowa Conference All-Academic honoree and Wartburg College varsity letter winner.
  • Biochemistry research fellowship: University of Iowa
  • Undergraduate research assistant in biochemistry.
  • Phi Eta Sigma and Tri Beta National Honor Society. 
  • Waverly Health Center lead emergency department volunteer for three years. 
  • Unified Sports Day Team leader (Special Olympics event) for three years; North Star community services volunteer for two years. 
  • Head Coach Rick Willis: "Patrick Rooney may be the most involved student I have been around, and the most impressive thing was his commitment level and level of achievement in everything he did. He wasn't just involved in things, he led areas and was completely committed to each one as if that was his only obligation."

 

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