FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, July 3, 2007

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

Jackson, Lunger, Flynn-Brown

Named 2006-07 Student-Athletes of the Year

By the Association of Division III Independents

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Track and field sprinter Shanda Jackson from Lincoln University (Pennsylvania); Josh Flynn-Brown, Chapman University’s male student-athlete of the year; and Adam Lunger, a forward on the University of Dallas soccer team, were named today as the 2006-07 Student-Athletes of the Year by the Association of Division III Independents (AD3I).  Flynn-Brown and Lunger will be awarded the male Co-Student-Athletes of the Year.

 

Jackson, a health and science major (2.82 grade-point average) from East Orange, N.J., became the first sprinter since 2001 to repeat as NCAA Division III champion in the 100-meter dash (12.28 seconds). In addition to winning the 100 meters, Jackson also finished second in the 200-meter dash (24.94) at the NCAA Div. III Championship meet at Oshkosh, Wis. Jackson's effort helped Lincoln finish fifth as a team, its highest finish since 2001. Jackson earned two more All-America honors to raise her career total to nine. Also, Jackson extended her unbeaten streak in the 100-meter dash to 15 races after winning the 100-meter dash at the University of Delaware (May 5), Swarthmore Twilight meet (May 14) and the College of New Jersey (May 17). Jackson also won the 200-meter dash at the University of Delaware, Swarthmore and TCNJ meets. Jackson was named AD3I Player of the Week on May 7. She has not lost a 100-meter dash race in the month of May in two years. Jackson is the only sprinter in the last five years to win consecutive 55-meter dash indoor national titles and two straight 100-meter dash titles.

 

Flynn-Brown, a senior political science major (3.40 grade-point average) from Redondo Beach, Cal., became the first Chapman basketball player in 16 years to average at least 20 points per game.  He led the Panthers with 20.5 points per game and made 80 three-pointers.  Flynn-Brown ranked in the top-35 in Division III in scoring, three-pointers and three-point percentage, and he set a Chapman (Division III) record for points in a single season (533).  He is one of just 13 players in school history with over 1,000 career points.  Chapman had its best overall record (21-5) since 1983-84.  The team has won back-to-back AD3I West Region Basketball Championship titles.  Flynn-Brown also has authored his own book, a political commentary published in April entitled, "In Defense of the President."

 

Lunger, a sophomore pre-med major (3.08 grade-point average) from Keller, Tex., led his team in goals scored (25) and points (56).  He also tied for the team high in assists with six.  At season’s end, Lunger was chosen as the team Co-MVP and was named the AD3I’s Men’s Soccer Co-Offensive Player of the Year.  He also was selected to the AD3I’s All-Independent First Team and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s All-America First Team.  Lunger’s offensive prowess helped lead the team to high rankings throughout the year in the NCAA, NSCAA/adidas Coach's, and D3Kicks.com polls.

 

Other female student-athletes who received votes include Alva Jeffreys, Mitchell College (basketball); Ana Castillo, University of Dallas (basketball); Catherine Chappell, Milwaukee School of Engineering (basketball, track and field); and Ashley Shadd, California State University, East Bay (soccer).   

 

Also receiving votes for the male Student-Athlete of the Year award were Chris Mackinnel, Mitchell College (soccer) and Sean O’Dowd, California State University, East Bay (baseball).

 

Previous female Student-Athlete of the Year award winners:

2002-03          Stephanie Cameron, Thomas More College (softball)

2005-06          Erin Powell, Nebraska Wesleyan University (track and field)

 

Previous male Student-Athlete of the Year award winners:

 

2002-03          Alex Taylor, Chapman University (baseball)

2005-06          Kyle Myrick, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) (basketball)

 

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 25 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 2006-07.  The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis.  For the third year, the Association provided statistical services for its members in seven sports.  In addition, it also selected All-Independent teams at the conclusion of nine sports this year. 

 

All student-athletes from the Association’s 25 members were eligible for the award.  Each school was allowed to nominate its top performing male and female student-athletes from 2006-07.  The award recipients were selected after a vote of the Association’s Student-Athlete Recognition Committee and members of the Executive Committee.

 

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