Kudos to Vanguard athletes

Vanguard University completed the spring semester with a total of eight NAIA All-Americans and 14 All-GSAC athletes from three men’s and three women’s sports, capping off a stellar spring season.

The Vanguard tennis teams had a successful season with both the men’s and women’s squads making runs at the NAIA National Tournament. Six athletes were recognized individually. In addition, the women’s team claimed the NAIA’s Buffalo Five-Star Team Award for character.

Team captain Dieter Weislmaier led the Lions to the 11th NAIA appearance in Vanguard men’s tennis history. Weislmaier, who played the top singles position for the Lions, earned his second NAIA All-America first-team honor as the third-highest ranked player in the NAIA/ITA rankings this spring. First-year Lion Gregory Chevalier (Marseille, France) also claimed a place on the NAIA All-America first-team, ending the season as the 25th-ranked singles player in the NAIA.

Senior Andreas Reckziegel completed his Vanguard career with an NAIA All-America second-team award. Both Weislmaier and Chevalier were also listed on the All-GSAC team, leading VU to a 7-5 conference record.

On the women’s side, freshman Hana Jurcovicova stormed onto the collegiate scene with a No. 13 NAIA/ITA ranking and a first-team NAIA All-America laurel, while checking in as the NAIA/ITA women’s Rookie Player of the Year. Women’s team captain Amy Brown and sophomore Damia Donkervoort were also placed onto the NAIA All-America team. Brown made the second team for the second year in a row and Donkervoort made her first appearance on an NAIA All-America list as an honorable mention selection. Jurcovicova and Brown were also named to the All-GSAC team as the Lions tied for second place in the conference standings and made the program’s sixth trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

Rachel Bomgren, a shortstop on the Vanguard softball team, earned her second All-GSAC and All-Region II award as she led the Lions in most offensive categories this spring. Bomgren earned her first NAIA All-America honor. Starting every game this season for the Lions, Bomgren was named to the NAIA All-America second team after batting .482 overall, collecting 81 hits and driving in 32 runs. She was also voted onto the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NAIA All-American second-team.

Baseball’s senior right-hander Clay Brown pitched his way on to the 2006 All-GSAC baseball team, earning his first postseason award as a Lion. Earning GSAC Pitcher of the Week twice and Region II Pitcher of the Week once during the season, Brown was the ace of Vanguard’s staff with an 8-5 overall record and a 2.43 ERA . The Lions finished 22-22 this season.

The spring additions give the Vanguard Athletic Department a total of 23 NAIA All-Americans and 30 All-GSAC for the 2005-06 school year.