Wheaton student-athletes named to NEWMAC All-Academic team

Nine Wheaton College student-athletes have been named to the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Academic team for the fall of 2002. Out of the ten member schools, 164 student-athletes received this honor.

Honorees must follow a certain criteria to qualify for such an award, including a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better upon completion of the 2002 spring semester, attaining at least a sophomore year standing and be a competing member of the varsity team for the entire season.

The Lyons were led by the women's volleyball team with four recipients, including senior Melissa Jamin , juniors Bree Bessette and Anna Kratky, and sophomore Caitlin Meloski. Women's soccer posted three sophomores on the team in Erin Duffy, Christy Schneider and Carolyn Wills, while two field hockey players were honored in seniors Stephanie Allen and Amy Haller.

Playing in all 31 matches and 114 games for the Lyons, Jamin ranked third in the conference and first on the team in digs per game with an average of 4.544 (518 overall). She was also second on the team in kills (242) and service aces (44). Bessette ranked top ten in the conference in blocks, averaging 0.714 blocks per contest (80 overall) in addition to ranking third on the team in kills with 2.062 per game (231 overall). Used as a defensive specialist and outside hitter, Kratky recorded 282 digs on the season. Wheaton finished the year at 15-16 overall and 4-5 in conference play.

On the women's soccer squad, Duffy started in all 24 games, leading a defense that gave up only 12 goals all season en route to capturing their first NCAA Division III New England Regional Title. Duffy also posted 10 points (4g, 2a) on the season. Schneider came back from an early season injury to post seven points (2g, 3a), including a critical game-winning goal in overtime of the conference semifinal against Smith. Wills started 22 games from her midfield position and posted five points (1g, 3a), helping solidify the middle of the field for the Lyons. Wheaton advanced to the NCAA National Quarterfinals, finishing its season at 22-2 overall and 9-0 in the NEWMAC.

Allen started in all 19 games for the field hockey team at the back position, assisting a defense that allowed just over a goal per game while posting two defensive saves of her own. Haller finished the season with a 2-1 record, recording two shutouts and a 0.83 goals against average in seven games this season. Haller is fourth in the Wheaton record book for career wins, shutouts and saves. The Lyons posted an 8-11 record overall with a 4-4 mark in the NEWMAC.

Fall sports sponsored by the NEWMAC include: men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, women's tennis and women's volleyball.