Blue Knight Teams Garner NAIA Academic Honors
Urbana women’s basketball and women’s golf teams recognized
URBANA , Ohio – The Urbana University women’s basketball and women’s golf teams were honored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as 2006-07 NAIA Scholar Teams.

The criterion for earning the award is at least a 3.0 team grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during 2006-07 academic year.

The Blue Knight women’s golf team, led by head coach Jacque Howell, posted a 3.16 GPA. The members of the women’s golf team are: Cami Anthony ( Miamisburg, Ohio/Carlisle HS), Kendra Billenstein ( Ansonia, Ohio/Ansonia HS), Shelby Buck ( South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern HS), Cortney Ertel ( Woodstock, Ohio/Triad HS), Rebecca Rutan (Mechanicsburg, Ohio/Mechanicsburg HS), Julie Stratton ( Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge HS) and Jenna Swihart (Waynesburg, Ohio/Sandy Valley HS).

“I was very pleased hearing that the women had met the standards for this honor,” said Howell. “I am happy that they have the conviction to strive to keep their academics as a priority as well as continually trying to improve their golf game.

“The game of golf is 90 percent mental and this honor shows why the women are steadily improving in the classroom as well as on the course,” she added.

The women’s basketball team, led by head coach Rob Phillips, recorded a 3.08 GPA for the 2006-07 academic year. The members of the 2006-07 women’s basketball team are: Taria Blanchard ( Toledo, Ohio/Jesup W. Scott HS), Enisia Curry (Mansfield, Ohio/Mansfield HS), Haley Fannon (St. Marys, Ohio/St. Marys HS), Sarita Feliciano (Marion, Ohio/Marion Harding HS), Brittany Granger (Troy, Ohio/Troy HS), LaTish Hamilton (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne HS), Faith Ligon (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade Julienne HS), Megan Mummy (Sidney, Ohio/Sidney HS), Sam Riley (Cincinnati, Ohio/Glen Este HS), Brittany Runner (Bradford, Ohio/Greenville HS) and MaryJo Wesienbarger (Troy, Ohio/Troy Christian HS).

“We are very pleased to have been named one of the NAIA Scholar Teams for 2006-2007.  We have always set our academic standards very high and have achieved a team GPA of 3.0 or consistently over the past 13 years,” said Phillips. “It’s good to see the NAIA recognize teams in this manner. 

“Most Urbana University athletic teams spend three to four nights a week in supervised team study tables,” added Phillips. “Faculty members and student tutors attend many of these sessions and are available at the University’s Student Success Center. This type of recognition is a tribute to everyone involved.”

The NAIA is committed to high standards and to the principle that participation in athletics serves as an integral part of the total education process. Further the Association is dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics and provides student-athletes an environment that values academic and athletic excellence. For the complete story and list of NAIA Scholar Teams visit http://naia.cstv.com/genrel/071607aaf.html.

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