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Show Page 10 Monday, March 7,2005 The Signpost Sports Sports Editor: Jon Nelson Phone: 626-7983 Lady 'Cats indoor track champs WSU women win fourth consecutive Big Sky title ByAlMEEDUSSOL correspondent | The Signpost The Weber State University women's indoor track and field team became the first school in L:g Sky history to win four consecutive Big Sky Championship titles after winning the Big Sky Championships held Feb. 25th and 26th in Pocatello, Idaho. WSU women's track and field head coach Jim Blaisdell is pleased with the win. "These girls have worked hard, and I am very proud of them," Blaisdell said. "Track and field takes a lot of dedication, and these girls have it." WSU senior track and field sprinter Nina Wade is also proud that the Wildcats won. "It's a great accomplishment," Wade said. Wade, who runs the 55- and 200- meter races and also competes in the long jump, has been with the team since they began See Champs page 12 Weber State high jumper, Shanna Wylie works on her technique during practice at the Sewnson Gym/ C William Stromberg Center earlier this year. Wildcat senior at top of her prowl "I play because I have fun and I'm competitive. I hate to lose in anything I play, whether it's ping-pong, cards, or anything. I hate to lose and I won't lose/' By RYAN HOWE correspondent | The Signpost 1 £ 5 0 1 > I r 3 WSU senior Julie Gjersten looks to distribute the ball to a teammate during a game against Portland State earlier this season at the Dee Events Center. Julie Gjertsen's passion for basketball makes her one of Utah's finest. "I play because I have fun and I'm competitive," Gjertsen said. "I hate to lose in anything I play, whether it's ping-pong, cards, or anything. I hate to lose and 1 won't lose." Weber State hasn't done much losing since Gjertsen arrived on campus four years ago. The senior forward from Arvada, Colo., led WSU to backto-back Big Sky championships her freshman and sophomore years. She has started every game of her career at Weber State, and as a junior, Gjertsen averaged 17.1 points, six rebounds and 3,3 assists per game. Entering her senior season, Gjertsen ranks 10th in Weber State history in scoring. She is the No. 1 all-time leader in 3-pointers made at WSU and ranks seventh in Big Sky history in that category. "Julie is one of the most dominating players ever to play at Weber State," said Wildcat coach Carla Taylor. "She is a relentless scorer who always puts our team in a position to Julie Gjersten win. She is a fierce competitor and leader who makes her teammates better every day." Off the court, Gjertsen maintains a 3.35 GPA as she pursues an integrated studies degree in health promotion, zoology and athletic training. She has been named an Academic All-American and Big Sky Conference MVR Early in February, Gjersten and WSU men's basketball player Brett Cox earned First Team All-District VIII academic honors, sponsored by ESPN The Magazine. "If people could clone her, I'd say go ahead," said Gjertsen's mom, Cindy. "She - Julie Gjersten, WSU women's basketball player has made us so proud to be her parents. Everything about her makes her an exceptional child." This season, Gjertsen plans to finisb off where she started her career at WSU - the Big Sky championship and an NCAA tournament berth. "I think we have a great chance to go out and achieve what we did the first and second years I was here," she said. "We have the players to do it." Whether or not the Wildcats return to the NCAA tournament, See Senior page 11 |