FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, December 7, 2007

CONTACT: Ted Breidenthal 816/474-7264, ext. 119 tbreidenthal@d3independents.org www.d3independents.org

 

Randolph, Dunker Named Association of Division III Independents

Student-Athlete of the Month Award Winners for November

 

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Outside hitter Jackie Randolph of California State University, East Bay, and cross country runner Chris Dunker from Nebraska Wesleyan University, were named today as the recipients of the Association of Division III Independents Student-Athlete of the Month awards for November.

Randolph, a junior criminal justice major from Alameda, CA, concluded a banner campaign for the Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team. During the month of November, Randolph was named Honorable Mention American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III All-American and first team All-West Region. In the NCAA Division III West Regionals November 8-10, Randolph had a team-best 43 kills, five service aces, three block solos and was second with 45 digs. In the Pioneers 3-1 victory over Colorado College, Randolph had 19 kills, three service aces and 26 digs. Randolph recorded team bests of 24 kills and three block solos as the Pioneers lost to the University of LaVerne, 3-2, in a semifinal match. For the season, Randolph had a team-best and school record 512 kills. She was third on the Pioneers with 48 service aces and 446 digs. Cal State East Bay women's volleyball team ended another successful season with a 29-5 record and ranked 12th in the AVCA poll. The Pioneers competed in the NCAA championship for the 10th consecutive season.

Dunker, a senior English major from Beatrice, NE, placed sixth at the NCAA Division III Central Region Championships, leading Nebraska Wesleyan’s men's cross country to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships; he earned USTFCCCA All-Central Region.  He also earned All-America honors for the second year in a row as he placed 24th individually at the 2007 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 21 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 2007-08.  The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis.  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 competing student-athletes from the Association’s 21 members were eligible for the award.  Each school was allowed to nominate its top performing male and female student-athletes from November.  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.