The Association of Division III Independents - Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 28, 2006

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

Powell, Myrick Named Association of Division III Independents
2005-06 Student-Athletes of the Year

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Nebraska Wesleyan University’s Erin Powell, recently honored by ESPN The Magazine as the Academic All-American of the Year for women’s track & field/cross country in the College Division, and Lincoln (Pa.) University’s Kyle Myrick, the only male student-athlete to be named Association of Division III Independents Player of the Month three consecutive times, were named today as the recipients of the Association of Division III Independents (AD3I) 2005-06 Student-Athlete of the Year awards.

Powell, a Beaver City, NE, native who graduated with an accounting degree (3.98 grade-point average), was an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient and NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. She was named a first team Academic All-American in 2005 and 2006.

Powell was named a track and field All-American seven times (including three times in 2006), 12-time league champ (including four times in 2006) and 30-time All-Conference (NAIA) performer. In 2006, Powell finished third in the long jump and sixth in the triple jump at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. In addition, she finished fifth in the long jump at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and also competed in the 100-meter dash and the triple jump. Powell holds school records in the 100 (12.17), outdoor triple jump (39-2), and the 4x100 relay (47.38).

“ Erin truly epitomizes what we’re all about at Nebraska Wesleyan,” Head Coach Dr. Ted Bulling said. “She’s one of the best track athletes we’ve ever had, and her academic record is amazing.

”Erin was always willing to do whatever she possibly could to help her team, and Kurt Nielsen (assistant coach) did a great job with Erin during her four years here. What I’ll remember most is her focus, not only athletically, but also academically.”

Myrick, a senior health and science major from Philadelphia, was named the Division III men’s basketball Player of the Year by D3hoops.com, Association of Division III Independents and Basketball Times. Myrick also was named ECAC Southern Region Player of the Year and first-team All-American by DIII News.

Said Myrick, “I am very appreciative of being named Student-Athlete of the Year because I know there were a lot of worthy candidates. It was a terrific year for our team and our school and I am happy to have been a part of a successful season. Of course, my coaching staff and teammates deserve all the credit for this award because without them none of this would have been possible. It’s just a great feeling to have my hard work and dedication recognized by those outside of Lincoln University.”

Myrick helped Lincoln to its best season in school history (25-5) this year. Behind Myrick, Lincoln advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16, finished the season ranked 10th by D3hoops.com and captured the Association of Division III Independents Northeast Region championship.

Myrick was named MVP of five tournaments, including the AD3I postseason tournament where he averaged 39.5 points in the two games. Myrick was the only Division III player to finish the season ranked in the top five in three major statistical categories: he led Division III in scoring (33.7), finished third in assists (7.8) and fourth in steals (3.9). Myrick finished his season with 1,010 points, becoming only the 21st player in NCAA men’s basketball history and the first since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson in 1994 to score 1,000 points in a single season. Myrick ended the season by scoring 30 or more points in 10 consecutive games.

Said Lincoln coach Garfield Yuille, “Kyle is a special person and a hard worker. He was a true leader this season on and off the court. He elevated everybody’s game to a higher level. I was sad to see him leave, not because of his basketball ability, but because he’s a nice person. He has set a precedent for other players to follow.”

Other female student-athletes who received votes include Shanda Jackson, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) (track and field), Elena Yates, University of Dallas (cross country/track and field), Taylor Jaramillo, Colorado College (swimming) and Sara Stas, California State University, East Bay (softball).

Also receiving votes for the male Student-Athlete of the Year award were Ray Stokes, California State University, East Bay (baseball), Zach Wheatley, Chapman University (basketball) and Julian Boggs, Colorado College (cross country/track and field).

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 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 19 members were eligible for the award. Each school was allowed to nominate its top performing male and female student-athletes from 2005-06. The award recipients were selected after a vote of the Association’s Student-Athlete Recognition Committee.