From: Jeff Febus (jfebus@calvin.edu)
Date: Thu Jun 12 2003 - 17:24:10 EDT
CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR June 12, 2003
(Editors Note: The following press release was prepared by the MIAA publicity
office).
FIRST RECIPIENT OF MIAA WOMAN SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD IS ANNOUNCED
The first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Sheila Wallace
Kovalchik Woman Scholar Award has been presented to Calvin College graduate
Anne (Annie) VanderLaan of Grand Rapids.
The award honors of Sheila Kovalchik who served as commissioner of the MIAA
from 1991-2002. It recognizes a senior woman from an MIAA member college who
has excelled in academics and athletics and displayed outstanding leadership
qualities.
VanderLaan was this year's NCAA Division III national heptathlon champion and
was an NCAA track and field All-American seven times in her career. At Calvin
she majored in physical education with a minor in health science, achieving a
3.54 cumulative grade point average.
"We have had a great year in the MIAA and that is reflected in the outstanding
nominees for this award," said Commissioner David Neilson. "The committee had a
difficult task, but the selection of Anne VanderLaan is a wonderful choice."
"I was certainly thrilled to have an award of this nature established in my
name and I'm stunned by the caliber of nominees. Each of this year's nominees
certainly demonstrate the caliber of student-athletes attending MIAA member
colleges, but Anne Vanderlaan stands out nationally." said Kovalchik who is now
serves as director of athletics at Tri-State University. "She models what
Division III athletics is all about; the "total package", a good student,
national champion athlete and active in the community and on campus. That's
what really makes the award so wonderful to me."
VanderLaan was a four-year member of the women's track and field team. A
two-time tri-captain of the team, she earned NCAA III track and field
All-America honors seven times in her collegiate career, including three times
in the heptathlon. She was the national champion this spring after finishing
fifth as a sophomore and fourth as a junior. This spring she was also sixth at
nationals in the 100-meter hurdles and ran the anchor leg on Calvin's
All-America 4x100-meter
relay team.
This spring she was named the MIAA's Most Outstanding Runner for
the second straight year as she captured the MIAA title in the 100-meter
hurdles for a fourth straight year, becoming the eighth individual in MIAA
women's track and field history to win an event at the league meet four
straight years.
VanderLaan was the recipient of a 2002 All-Academic Award from the
United States Track and Field Coaches Association (USTCA) and was named to the
Verizon Academic All-District IV second team in track and field this spring.
VanderLaan is the daughter of Tom and Patricia VanderLaan of Grand
Rapids,Michigan. She is a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School.
The other nominees were: Sarah Moulik of Adrian (Troy), Stacy Chapman of
Albion (Grosse Ile, Shelly Ulfig of Alma (Cass City), Amanda Kerkstra of Hope
(Grandville), Kim Hartman of Kalamazoo (Shelby Township), Louisa Grill of
Olivet (Williamston), and Lynn Taylor of Saint Mary's (New Palestine, Ill.).
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
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