Four LeTourneau student-athletes named to Fall 2011 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete teams
The American Southwest Conference released its Fall 2011 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams this week. Four LeTourneau athletes were named in their respective sports for their diligence and hard work in the classroom and on the field.
Overall, a record 72 student-athletes from ASC men's cross country, women's cross country, football, men's soccer, women's soccer and volleyball were named to the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team.
Read the ASC's full release here.
MEN'S SOCCER
Martin Pflaum - Aeronautical Science - 3.76 - Chingola, Zambia
The son of German missionaries to Zambia, Martin played in 15 of LeTourneau's 18 games during his sophomore campaign, helping the YellowJackets reach the ASC Men's Soccer Tournament for the first time since 2005. Martin registered his second career assist in LeTourneau's 3-0 win over the Ozarks this season. Off the field, Martin is majoring in Aeronautical Science, with an emphasis on Missions Aviation. Through contributions from the LeTourneau men's soccer program, Martin donated soccer supplies to children in his missions hometown in Zambia during the Christmas break.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Jamie Malinaric - Biomedical Engineering - 4.0 - Keller, Texas
About the nominee: One of LeTourneau's strongest defenders, Jamie has started all 32 games that she has played in for the YellowJackets. She played in 14 games for the Jackets in 2011 and scored her first collegiate goal – the game-winner – in a 1-0 win over Hendrix College to open the season. She balances her athletics commitments with academic excellence, as she has maintained a 4.0 GPA while majoring in Biomedical Engineering. She is currently involved in a prosthetics project that will benefit the North Texas Soccer Amputee Team. Jamie is also involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and volunteers with the Good Shepherd Hospital Pediatric Ward and the Boys and Girls Club of Longview.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Brendan Palmer - Mechanical Engineering - 3.86 - Westerville, Ohio
About the nominee: Brendan completed his second season as a member of the LeTourneau cross country team and competed in every race in which the Jackets participated. He finished fifth at the Centenary Gator Run, and was the third Division III runner to complete the course at the University of Dallas Invitational. The sophomore from Westerville, Ohio is a top student in the classroom, maintaining a 3.86 GPA while majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Hollie Bryant - Christian Ministry - 3.45 - Howe, Texas
About the nominee: An inspiration to her teammates and one of the most dedicated runners on her team, Hollie completed her junior season for the LeTourneau cross country squad. She competed in every meet for the YellowJackets and finished 14th at the Gator Run, hosted by Centenary College. In the classroom, she is majoring in Christian Ministry with an emphasis on sports ministry. She has dedicated significant time and effort to Emeritus Assisted Living Home in McKinney, Texas, and the Newgate Missions in Longview, donating time and clothing to helping the homeless in and around Longview. Hollie has also donated money for leukemia and bone marrow cancer research.
The honor, in its fifth academic year, recognizes student-athletes that achieve a higher level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the sports information directors from the conference's 16 member institutions vote on a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete from each sport.
