FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 7, 2006

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

Stas, Myrick Receive February Honors
From the Association of Division III Independents

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Sara Stas, a pitcher/utility player from California State University, East Bay, and Kyle Myrick, a guard from Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), were named today as the recipients of the Association of Division III Independents Student-Athlete of the Month awards for February. For Myrick, this is his third consecutive monthly honor as he becomes the first three-time winner in the history of the association.

Stas, a sophomore criminal justice major from Pittsburg, CA, compiled a 10-1 pitching record during the month. In 80 innings pitched, Stas recorded 40 strikeouts and notched three shutouts. Cal State East Bay posted a 10-2 record during February. Stas also led the Pioneers in hitting with a .452 batting average (19-for-42) and hit safely in all 12 games. She scored a team-high 17 runs and collected eight doubles.

Myrick, who also won the student-athlete of the month award in December and January, averaged 42.8 points, 10.2 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 steals in the month of February as Lincoln finished with a 5-0 record. Myrick scored a school record and Division III single-game high 62 points in a 115-83 win over Penn State-Abington. Myrick was named MVP of the Association of Division III Independents Northeast Regional tournament after leading Lincoln, which is ranked 18th in Division III, to the championship. Myrick scored 49 points in Lincoln's 99-79 win over Saint Joseph's College (Maine) in the championship contest. Myrick began the month with a 37-point, 20-assist performance in a 126-85 win over Delaware Valley. The 20 assists are also single-game highs for Division III this season.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 19 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in nine sports in 2005-06. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. For the second year, the Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition, it also will announce all-Independent teams at the conclusion of nine sports this year.

All student-athletes from the Association’s 19 members were eligible for the award. Each school was allowed to nominate its top performing male and female student-athletes from February. The award recipients were selected after a vote of the Association’s Student-Athlete Recognition Committee.

More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org.

#    #    #    #    #