SPOKANE, Wash. – Nine Montana State University Billings track and field student-athletes join 125 other student-athletes from across the conference on the 2012 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Track and Field Academic all-star team.
 
Drew Galahan (So., Harlowton, MT), Lewis Polkow (So., Billings, MT), Adam Prevost (Jr., Billings, MT), Shae Stein (So., Nashua, MT) and Tyson Vanderby (Sr., Manhattan, MT) represent the Yellowjacket men on the team while Leah Berry (So., Lewistown, MT), Jamilea Kittelmann (Jr., Billings, MT), Mary Owen (Jr., Hammond, MT) and Justine Simons (Sr., Laurel, MT) earned all-academic honors on the women's side.
 
Prevost, Vanderby and Owen are all earning the award for the second time in their careers while Simons is now a three-time academic all-star. Simons was one of just nine female student-athletes to earn the honor three times in their careers.
 
“Making the academic all-conference team is quite an accomplishment for these student-athletes,” said head track and field coach Dave Coppock. “When you consider the demands on their time for training, traveling and competing in track and field, which is a year-round sport at this level, it shows their dedication to being just as successful in the classroom. We feel that their academic success reflects their dedication and commitment both on and off the field and is a large part of our team culture.”
 
A sophomore Business Administration major, Galahan currently holds a 3.69 grade point average and competes in the 400 meter and 800 meter races while also serving as the anchor for the 4x400 meter indoor and outdoor relay teams which placed fourth and eighth in the GNAC indoor and outdoor championships. Both relay squads set the school records this season in the event.
 
Polkow was the Yellowjackets' top 400 meter hurdler this season as a sophomore while maintaining a 3.89 GPA as a History major. He broke his own school record in the 400m hurdles twice during the outdoor season and also was a member of the distance medley relay and the 4x100 meter relay.
 
Prevost boasts the highest GPA of the nine 'Jackets selected with a 3.92 as a Health and Human Performance major. A junior 100 and 200 meter sprinter, Prevost anchors the 4x100 meter relay team which placed sixth at the GNAC outdoor championships and set the school record this season.
 
Stein, a sophomore Art major who holds a 3.66 GPA, is one of MSUB's most prolific jumpers, competing in both the long and triple jump events. A four-time GNAC indoor and outdoor championship qualifier this year, he was also a member of the 4x100 meter relay team that finished sixth at the GNAC outdoor championships and set the school record this past season.
 
Vanderyby, a middle distance runner who holds a 3.28 GPA as a Pre-Physical Therapy major, was an active contributor in MSUB's distance and cross country programs for the past few seasons. He set the school record in the indoor mile during the 2011-12 indoor season and is also a member of the record-setting distance medley relay team.
 
A sophomore History major, Berry competed for the Yellowjacket women this season in the hurdles and multi-events. She set the school record this season for most points scored during the heptathlon.
 
Kittelmann has been a member of MSUB's dynamic throwing corps the last two seasons. While maintaining a 3.64 GPA as an Elementary Education major, she qualified for the indoor shot put and weight throw events and was a qualifier in the outdoor hammer throw event this year.
 
Owen boasts the highest GPA on the women's squad with a 3.88 as a Health and Human Performance major and is a two-time all-academic all-star in cross country as well. A solid presence as a distance runner, Owen was a GNAC qualifier in the steeplechase and 10,000 meter run this year. She also holds the school record in the steeplechase.
 
A Special Education major boasting a 3.64 GPA, Simons has been a perennial GNAC qualifier in the sprints and relays. During her time, she has helped set the school record in the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays.
 
In total, 77 women and 57 men across the league earned academic honors. To be eligible, student-athletes must have a minimum GPA of 3.20 and be in at least their second year of competition at their current university.



Men's Track and Field  Academic  All-Conference
Shaun Ward, UAA (Management and Marketing, Sr., 3.52, Eagle River, AK)
**Alfred Kangogo, UAA (Nursing and Nutrition, Sr., 3.42, Eldoret, Kenya)
*Micah Chelimo , UAA  (Engineering, Jr., 3.41, Kapkoi, Kenya)
Travis Wilson, UAA (Geomatics, So., 3.39, Anchorage, AK)
*Thomas Hill , UAA (Physical Education,  Sr., 3.25, Thunder Bay, ON)
Nathan Minor, CWU (Undeclared, So., 3.92, Mt. Vernon, WA)
*Jason Caryl, CWU (Exercise Science & Athletic Training, Jr., 3.56, Omak, WA)
*Tommy Sheriff, CWU (Exercise Science, Sr., 3.53, Bellevue, WA)
Scott Hunter, CWU (Biology, Jr., 3.51, Hilo, HI)
*Manny Melo, CWU (Physical Education & Health, Jr., 3.38, Battle Ground, WA)
*Lewis Meyers, CWU (Biology, Jr., 3.32, Carson, WA)
Sakae Kamagata, CWU (English & Linguistics, So., 3.30, Chiba, Japan)
Drew Galahan, MSUB (Business Administration, So., 3.69, Harlowton, MT)
Lewis Polkow, MSUB (History: Teaching Option, So., 3.89, Billings, MT)
*Adam Prevost , MSUB (Health and Human Performance, Jr., 3.92, Billings, MT)
Shae Stein, MSUB (Art, So., 3.66, Nashua, MT)
*Tyson Vanderby, MSUB (Pre-Physical Therapy, Sr., 3.28, Manhattan, MT)
Stephen Larlee, NNU (Nursing, So., 3.98, Maupin, OR)
Matthew Silva, NNU (Philosophy, So., 3.94, Nampa, ID)
**Ben Heidegger, NNU (Mass Communications, Sr., 3.85, Medford, OR)
Andrew Curtis, NNU (Mass Communications, So.   3.84, Tigard, OR)
**Maurus Hope, NNU (Bio-Chemistry, Sr., 3.66, Adrian, OR)
*Cameron Colby, NNU (History, Sr., 3.61, Lake Oswego, OR)
*Jesse Baggenstos, NNU (Engineering Physics, Sr., 3.57, Renton, WA)
**Luke Hetrick, NNU (Engineering Physics, Sr., 3.50, Caldwell, ID)
Joseph Patti, SMU (History & Political Science, Jr., 3.78, Renton, WA)
Cory Roberts, SMU (Mechanical Engineering, So., 3.69, Elma, WA)
*Cameron Grossaint, SMU (Biology, So., 3.58, Mollcreek, WA)
*Jacob Suazo, SMU (Biology, Jr., 3.51, Lakewood, WA)
Travis Grady, SMU (Undeclared, So., 3.46, Lynnwood, WA)
Alexander Hendricks, SMU (Computer Science, So., 3.22, Lakewood, WA)
*Nate Seely, SPU (English, Jr., 3.86, Lynden, WA)
Will Harrison, SPU (Exercise, Jr., 3.54, Tucson, AZ)
Jordan Wolfe, SPU (English, Jr., 3.27, Bend, OR)
*AJ Baker, SPU (Educational Ministry, Jr., 3.21, AuGres, MI)
Carraig Colahan, WOU (Criminal Justice, So., 3.90, Burns, OR)      
*Connor Kasler, WOU (Comm. Health Ed, Jr., 3.64, Grants Pass, OR)
*Robert Alexander, WOU (Political Science, Jr., 3.61, Seattle, WA) 
*Will Crook, WOU (History, Jr., 3.49        Jewell, OR)       
Kyle Lane, WOU (Fire Administration, So., 3.48, Portland, OR)
Lukas Fenley, WOU (Info. Systems, So., 3.43, Leaburg, OR)         
*Dan Sprinkle, WOU (History, Sr., 3.33, Hillsboro, OR)
Kody Rhodes, WOU (Business, So., 3.29,  Wilsonville, OR)
Trevor Robinson, WWU (Planning & Environmental Policy, So., 3.98, Seattle, WA)
Chip Jackson, WWU (Mathematics, Jr., 3.92, Seattle, WA)
***Eric Brill, WWU (English, Grad, 3.89, Kent, WA)
**Alex Harrison, WWU (Kinesiology, Grad., 3.84, Edmonds, WA)
Keegan Hall, WWU (Industrial Design, So., 3.79, Gig Harbor, WA)
**Andrew Gray, WWU (Biology, Sr., 3.61, Sammamish, WA )
Tyler Will, WWU (Art, So., 3.61, Spokane, WA)
Justin Hurtubise, WWU (Environmental Science, Jr., 3.56, Spokane, WA)
Joshua Reiter, WWU (Computer Science, So., 3.56, Camas, WA)
**Tyler Nichols, WWU (Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management, Sr., 3.53, Shoreline, WA)
Nick Howe, WWU (Industrial Technology, So., 3.45, Arlington, WA)
Karsten Schick, WWU (Biology, So., 3.43, Kodiak, AK)
Keenan Komoto, WWU (Manufacturing Engineering Tech., So., 3.28, Kent, WA)
Gabe Morales, WWU (Kinesiology, Sr., 3.25, Renton, WA)
 
Women's Track and Field
Haleigh Lloyd, UAA (Nursing, So., 3.67, Ladysmith, BC)
*Katie Krehlik, UAA (Early Childhood Education,  Jr., 3.54, Juneau, AK)
*Ruth Keino, UAA  (Nursing and Nutrition, Jr., 3.45, Kapcheno, AK)
**Miriam Kipng'eno , UAA  (Nursing, Sr., 3.43, Eldoret, Kenya)
*Shoshana Keegan, UAA  (Early Childhood Education, Sr., 3.37, Anchorage, AK)
Susan Bick, UAA (English, Journalism & Public Communications, So., 3.22, Anchorage, AK)
Dianne Chong, UAA (Early Childhood Education, Sr., 3.22, Sitka, AK)
Kelsea Johnson, UAA (Psychology, Sr., 3.21, Sitka, AK)
*Katharine Lotze, CWU (Spanish/Journalism, Jr. 3.99, Benton City, WA)
*Hannah Swigart, CWU (Exercise Science, Jr., 3.98, Goldendale, WA)
Connie Morgan, CWU (Undeclared, So., 3.96, Hoquiam, WA)
Seanna Pitassi, CWU (Undeclared, So., 3.92, Camas, WA)
*Ashley Rice, CWU (Clinical Psychology, Jr., 3.63, Tieton, WA)
*Shelby Napiontek, CWU (Clinical Psychology, Jr., 3.56, Port Angeles, WA)
Kaylee Baumstark, CWU (Art & Public Health, Sr., 3.41, Port Angeles, WA)
Chelsea Genther, CWU (Public Health, So., 3.24, Bow, WA)
*Mary Owen, MSUB  (Health and Human Performance, Jr., 3.88, Hammond, MT)
**Justine Simons, MSUB  (Special Education, Sr., 3.76, Laurel, MT)
Jamilea Kittelmann, MSUB  (Elementary Education, Jr., 3.64, Billings, MT)
Leah Berry, MSUB (History, So., 3.46, Lewistown, MT)
Melissa Colby, NNU (Secondary Ed./English, So., 3.98, Nampa, ID)
*Laura Pridgen, NNU (Elementary Education, Jr., 3.97, Nampa, ID)
Courtney Schroeder, NNU (Elementary Education, So., 3.94, Caldwell, ID)
*Melissa Grammer, NNU (Social Work, Sr., 3.86, Highlands Ranch, CO)
Morgan Wiedmeier, NNU (Pre-Physical Therapy, Jr., 3.84, Meridian, ID)
Caitlin Curtis, NNU (Rec & Sport Management, So., 3.83, Portland, OR)
*Alicia Hedrick, NNU (Biology, Jr., 3.82, Bonners Ferry, ID)
*Chelsea Barr, NNU (Psychology, Jr., 3.68, Nampa, ID)
Hailey Bradshaw, NNU (Nursing, ., 3.63, Meridian, ID)
**Jill Bennett, NNU (Nursing, Sr., 3.61, Grants Pass, OR)
Alla Dzhidzhiyeshvili, NNU (Secondary Ed./Kinesiology, Sr., 3.48, Ontario, OR)
Marie Smith, NNU (Nursing, So., 3.46, Nampa, ID)
*Molly Reid, NNU (Elementary Education, Sr., 3.40, Jerome, ID)
*Shanna Rippy, NNU (Economics, Sr., 3.40, Boise, ID)
*Lakiesha Wade, NNU (Pre-Physical Therapy, Sr., 3.38, Poulsbo, WA)
*Meagan Swenson, NNU (Marketing, Sr., 3.32, Salem, OR)
*Samantha Hill, NNU (Communications, Jr., 3.26, Woodinville, WA)
Jasmine Warrington, NNU (Pre-Physical Therapy, So., 3.24, Colorado Springs, CO)
*Danielle Beesley, NNU (Nursing, Sr., 3.24, Caldwell, ID)
Jessica Case, NNU (Elementary Education, Jr., 3.23, Troy, ID)
Natalie Evans, NNU (Nursing, So., 3.22, New Plymouth, ID)
*Samantha Hull, SMU (Biology, Jr., 3.81, Belfair, WA)
*Hannah Scholter, SMU (Biology, Jr., 3.73, Auburn, WA)
Erika Copeland, SMU (Elementary Ed, So., 3.71, Port Orchard, WA)
*Joscelyn Minton, SMU (History, Jr., 3.41, Shelton, WA)
*Teilissa Tua, SMU (Biology, Jr., 3.21 Kahului, HI)
Katie Thralls, SPU (Exercise Science, Jr., 3.96, Livermore, Calif.)
**Natty Plunkett, SPU (Psychology, Sr., 3.97, Bellevue, WA)
Robyn Zeidler, SPU (Global Nutrition & Health, So., 3.96, Plymouth, MN)
*Katy Gross, SPU (General Engineering, Jr., 3.92, Everett, WA)
*Heidi Laabs-Johnson, SPU (Food/Nutritional Sciences, Sr., 3.75, Salt Lake City, UT)
**Natalie Nobbs, SPU (Exercise Science, Sr., 3.58, Yakima, WA)
**Brittany Tri, SPU (Accounting, Sr., 3.55, Lake Stevens, WA)
Ali Cutting, SPU (Ecology, So., 3.44, Sequim, WA)
**Ali Worthen, SPU (Exercise Science, Sr., 3.43, Coos Bay, OR)
Josie Becker, SPU (Mathematics, Sr., 3.32, Grapeview, WA)
Kirsten Allen, SFU (Kinesiology, So., 3.84, London, Ontario)
Katie Pelchar, WOU (Criminal Justice, So., 3.79, Sandy, OR)         
*Ashley Potter, WOU (Psychology, Sr., 3.60, Springfield, OR)
**Ali Mosher, WOU (Exercise Science, Sr., 3.53, Gresham, OR))
Emily Pieren, WOU (Elementary Education, Jr., 3.44, Nestucca, OR)
**Zoe Skordahl, WOU (Communication, Sr., 3.40, Oakridge, OR)
*Meryl Butcher, WOU (Health Promotions, Sr. , 3.34, Clackamas, OR)
KayAnna Cecchi, WOU (Psychology, Sr., 3.32, Gresham, OR)
Amanda Schumaker, WOU (Nursing, Jr., 3.23, Gladstone, OR)
Miranda Lahman, WWU (Biology, So., 3.96, Boulder, CO)
Annie Schinnell, WWU (Geology, So., 3.86, Morton, WA)
Sydney Coffey, WWU (Behavioral Neuoscience, So., 3.85, Boulder, CO)
*Callie Reff, WWU (Human Services, Jr., 3.85, Burlington, WA))
*Mary Rogers, WWU (Spanish, Jr, 3.85, Spokane, WA)
*Sierra Brisky, WWU  (Kinesiology, Sr., 3.68, Acme, WA)
*Valle Ledtke, WWU (Kinesiology, Jr., 3.50, Skamokawa, WA)
Amber Dodd, WWU (Kinesiology, So., 3.49, Sammamish, WA)
Amy Puckett, WWU (Accounting, So., 3.44, Laramie, WY)
Erin Philbeck, WWU (Spanish, So., 3.39, Seattle, WA)
*Amanda Overdick, WWU (History/Social Studies, Jr., 3.38, Lynnwood, WA)
*Eleanor Siler, WWU (Biology, Sr., 3.35, Spokane, WA)
Margaret Roe, WWU (Psychology, So., 3.24, Bellevue, WA)

*Repeater, **Two-Time Repeater