Coleman, Neiweem named USTFCCA all-academic picks
Recent graduates Keli Coleman (Carmel HS, Grayslake) and Paula Neiweem (Warren Township HS, Gurnee) of the Augustana College women's track and field team were selected to the All-Academic Team by the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association.
The USTFCCCA honors NCAA Division III individuals for their academic and athletic achievements during the indoor and outdoor track and field season. In order to qualify for the all-academic team, the individual student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 and have met the NCAA Division III qualifying standard in either the indoor or outdoor season in her respective event.
Coleman had an outstanding career as a sprinter for the Vikings. She won three straight CCIW indoor titles in the 55-meter dash before finishing second this past season. She has earned NCAA Division III All-American honors twice in her career, both times in the 55 dash during the indoor season (2006 and 2008). She won three consecutive CCIW titles in the 100 meter dash outdoors before taking fifth as a senior.
In 2007, she was a member of the conference champion 400 relay team. Coleman was awarded an NCAA postgraduate scholarship in April of this year, becoming the 22nd Augustana athlete to win the award.
She was also named the senior athlete of the year at Augustana by the student athlete advisory committee in May at the annual Blanket Awards dinner.
In addition to her seven CCIW titles and two All-American certificates, Coleman owns Augustana school records in the 55 (07.08), 60 (07.81) and 200 (25.68) indoors and the 100 (11.96) outdoors. She is also a member of school records in the 400 and 800 relays.
Twice she was named winner of the Jack Swartz award in the CCIW, an award that combines athletic accomplishments with academic excellence.
She won the award both as a junior and as a senior after the indoor track & field season. Coleman had a 3.84 GPA with a major in biology/pre-medicine.
Neiweem was the winner of the Jack Swartz award in the CCIW for her combination of athletic prowess and academic excellence. She had the best throw on the team in the hammer this spring with a mark of 154-feet-9, which came at the CCIW outdoor meet in Kenosha, Wis.
Neiweem won the conference title and in the process set a school record. She placed third in the CCIW indoor championship in 2009 in the 20-pound weight throw after winning the title in 2008. She broke the indoor school record a total of three times this past season and finished the year with a best toss of 52- 2 1/2.
She was named the most improved performer on the team during the indoor season. Neiweem graduated in May with a double major of biology and pre-medicine and a GPA of 3.56.
Maranto, Parker help power Kenosha: The 16U Kenosha Indians travel baseball team went 2-2 in Bloomington last weekend, despite not being at full strength.
"The kids really pulled together again and although shorthanded executed well as a team," coach Clay Kovac said. "Our pitchers really stepped up."
Added coach Cory Kral: "There is an obvious change in players' attitudes both defensively and offensively. They are hustling to position and going to the plate with more confidence."
Chris Maranto (Mundelein), Danny Schuler (Richmond-Burton), Tanner Erbach (Warren), Nick Hibbing (Lakes) and Anthony Olson (St. Joseph Kenosha), averaged 5 innings each on the mound, striking out 25 with a 2.02 ERA.
Schuler also went 8-for-13 at the plate with 7 RBI. Jack Parker (Warren) was 6-for-11 and Joel Hollow (Racine) was 5-for-10 and 4 stolen bases, while D.J. Lewis (Mundelein) and Maranto both batted over .400 as well for the tournament.
Next up for the Tribe is a three-day tournament in Kenosha starting Friday at Nash Park.