FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 14, 2004

CONTACT: Ted Breidenthal 816/474-7264 tbreidenthal@d3independents.org www.d3independents.org

Association of Division III Independents
Names April Student-Athlete of the Month Award Winners

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Cassie Abel, a junior lacrosse player from Colorado College, and Archie Gilbert, a junior centerfielder from California State University, Hayward, were named today as the recipients of the April 2004 Association of Division III Independents Student-Athlete of the Month awards.

Abel, a junior economics major from Vashon Island, WA, scored 32 of her team-leading 50 goals and accumulated 42 of her team-leading 68 points in April to lead Colorado College to a 6-2 record during the month. The Tigers were 5-0 vs. Division III opponents, 1-1 vs. Division I opponents and 0-1 vs. a Division II opponent that is moving up to Division I next season. Abel's 50 goals and 68 points are personal single-season highs. She also is tied for second on the team with 18 assists, one short of tying her single-season high she set as a sophomore. She is the only player on the team to have scored a goal in every game this season. In just under three seasons, Abel already has climbed near the top of all of CC's career scoring records. She currently ranks third with 134 goals and 181 points, and eighth with 47 assists. In single-season scoring, she holds three of the top 11 totals in goals, three of the top 13 totals in points and two of the top 14 spots in assists. No player in the program's history has scored more goals or accumulated more points in three seasons. As a team, Colorado College is 12-2 (9-0 vs. Division III) and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. The Tigers currently are ranked No. 7 by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association, the highest ranking ever in the 10-year history of the program.

Gilbert, a business management major from Union City, CA, hit .481 for the month with 19 runs scored, 25 hits, 24 runs batted in, four doubles, two triples and five home runs. He also won the association’s monthly honor in March. He hit safely in all 13 games and extended his hitting streak to 36 games into May. He had nine multi-hit games during the month.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 20 Division III independent institutions that have come together to face the unique challenges that confront independent institutions. The Association strives to enhance communication and professional development among administrators of Division III independent institutions; contributes to effective participation by independent institutions in the Division III governance structure; and seeks equitable opportunities for participation in NCAA championships for student-athletes at its member institutions.

All student-athletes from the Association’s 20 members were eligible for the award. Each school was allowed to nominate its top performing male and female student-athletes from April. The award recipients were selected after a vote of the Association’s Student-Athlete Recognition Committee.