March 22, 2001

SEATTLE--Four Husky athletes were named to the District VIII Verizon Academic All-American Fall/Winter At-Large teams Thursday, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Two UW men notched first-team honors, while two Husky women earned mention as well.

Junior swimmer David Moilanen (Renton, Wash.) and junior Bryn Ritchie (Medford, Ore.) of the men's soccer team were named to the Verizon Academic All-American District VIII men's at-large team.

Moilanen, who boasts a 3.95 grade point average in his physics major, is a freestyle and backtroke specialist for the Husky swim team that finished sixth at this year's Pac-10 championships. Moilanen broke the school record in the 100-yard backstroke at the Pac-10s swimming a time of 50.53 in the event. He was also a member of the school record setting 400-yard medley relay team and the 400-yard freestyle relay team.

Ritchie, an international relations/business administration major with a 3.66 GPA, tallied six goals and five assists as a defender on the Washington men's soccer team that won the Pac-10 title. Ritchie helped lead the team to its third straight conference title (two MPSF & one Pac-10) and into the second round of the NCAA tournament.

On the women's side, senior cross country runner Kara Syrdal (Shoreline, Wash.) was named to the Verizon District VIII All-Academic First Team, while senior soccer player Theresa Wagner (Seattle, Wash. / Lakeside) received second-team honors.

Syrdal, one of the Huskies' top five runners all season, carries a 3.80 grade point average in her psychology and pre-medicine major. She also garnered first-team All-Pac-10 academic honors for cross country this season, both cross country and track as a junior and was named to the second team for both cross country and track her sophomore campaign. Syrdal was the first Husky woman to run in four consecutive NCAA cross country meets as a member of a qualifying team with her appearance this year.

Wagner, a midfielder for the Pac-10 champion Huskies, notched a 3.49 in her business administrations major. Wagner led the Huskies to an 18-3 overall record in the 2000 season, the Pacific-10 championship and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament. In 2000, she was honored on the All-Pac-10 first team, All-West Region second team and as an All-America honorable mention. Wagner, who owns every Washington assist record was selected by the Bay Area CyberRays in the ninth round of the inaugural Women's United Soccer Association draft.

To be eligible for selection, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.20 grade point average and be either a starter or significant contributor to the team in their second year at their current school. District VIII includes schools from the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and British Columbia.

Verizon Academic All-America Team (Men)

Kyle Ashley, UC Santa Barbara, Jr., Water Polo, 3.79, Political Science

John Hedengren, Brigham Young, Jr., Cross Country, 3.96, Chemical Engineering

Andrew Hooker, UNLV, Jr., Soccer, 3.91, Mechanical Engineering

Garrett Jensen, Arizona State, Sr., Cross Country, 3.90, Education

Jason Jones, Utah State, Jr., Cross Country, 3.94, Economics

David Moilanen, Washington, Swimming, 3.95, Physics

Andy Nonaka, Pacific, Sr., Swimming, 4.00, Electrical Engineering

Bryn Ritchie, Washington, Soccer, 3.66, International Relations/ Business Administration

Verizon Academic All-America Teams (Women)

First Team

Lisa Aguilera, Arizona State, Jr., Cross Country, 3.64, Computer Systems Engineering

Lindsay Berryman, Arizona, Sr., Swimming, 3.92, Physiological Sciences

Beth Childs, Washington State, Jr., Soccer, 3.89, Business Administration

Mary Duarbeck, Arizona State, Sr., Cross Country, 3.87, Broadcasting

Lindsey Jorgensen, Washington State, Jr., Soccer, 3.80, Mathematics

Poppy Major, UC Davis, Jr., Gymnastics, 3.93, Nutrition Science

Kareen Nilsson, UC Irvine, Sr., Cross Country, 3.80, English & Drama

Melanie Steere, Brigham Young, Sr., Cross Country, 3.91 Dietetics

Kara Syrdal, Washington, Sr., 3.79, Psychology/Pre-medicine

Katie Younglove, UCLA, Jr., Swimming, 3.81, Communications

Second Team

Tara Chaplin, Arizona, Jr., Cross Country, 3.45, Elementary Education

Megan Cummings, Idaho, Jr., Soccer, 3.66, Mechanical Engineering

Lara Degenhardt, Oregon State, Sr., Gymnastics, 3.49, Graphic Design

Jayme Morgan, Southern Utah, So., Gymnastics, 3.98, Business Management

Kristin Parker, UCLA, So., Gymnastics, 3.75, Undeclared

Bonnie Renwick, Oregon State, Jr., Swimming, 3.82, Psychology/Business

Rebekah Thornley, Utah State, Sr., Cross Country, 3.92, Spanish

Megan Thunell, Weber State, Jr., Soccer, 3.91, English Teaching

Theresa Wagner, Washington, Sr., Soccer, 3.49, Business Administration

Onnie Willis, UCLA, So., Gymnastics, 3.55, Undeclared