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Three Bobcats do it allby Eric Pfahler Three Ohio athletes - two swimmers and one wrestler - were named to the 2001 University Verizon Academic All-District IV First Team. Swimmers Emily Bresser, a senior, and junior Dustin Frazier, along with senior wrestler Dan Bednar were nominated for the team. Bresser maintained a 3.87 grade point average and won the Mid-American Conference title in the 100- and 200-meter backstrokes. She has been a member of four championship relay teams during her career at Ohio. Bresser was a major contributor to the Bobcats' second straight MAC Championship for women's swimming and diving. Bresser, a communications major, said she was happy to receive the award. "It's such a great honor to be recognized for both (sports and academics)," Bresser said. Wrestler Dan Bednar, who won his second consecutive individual title at the MAC championships in the 197 lb. weight class, earned a 3.48 GPA. He also ranked 20th in the country, finishing with a record of 27-7. Bednar qualified for the NCAA tournament and earned a 2-2 record there. Bednar said making the team complemented the MAC team title he helped the Bobcats win last winter. "It's kind of like icing on the cake," Bednar said. Swimmer Dustin Frazier had a 3.95 GPA as a business and pre-law major. He is scheduled to graduate a year early with the highest GPA in the business school. Frazier was the Bobcats' top freestyle swimmer in the 50- and 100-meter events this season. Student-athletes were required to keep a cumulative GPA of 3.2 and be a starter or key reserve on their teams to be eligible for the award. Ohio takes on tough scheduleThe Ohio football team faces a strong schedule in the 2001 fall football season. The Bobcats play four bowl teams from last season, including their only three non-conference opponents. New coach Brian Knorr and company will open the season on the road against North Carolina State. The Wolfpack is coming off an 8-4 season, winning the Micron PC.com Bowl 38-30 over Minnesota. After returning north, the Bobcats will tackle another difficult road matchup against West Virginia, which finished the season 7-5 after defeating Mississippi St. 49-38 in the Music City Bowl. Ohio begins its home schedule Sept. 22 with Iowa State - the first Big 12 school ever to visit Peden Stadium. The Bobcats are looking to avenge last season's 25-15 loss to the Cyclones, which finished the season ranked 23rd in the Associated Press poll after defeating Pittsburgh 37-29 in the Insight.com Bowl. The Bobcats' MAC season combines games against the entire East Division with matches against Toledo and Central Michigan from the West Division. Ohio travels to Akron, Central Michigan, Buffalo and Marshall. Knorr's squad will look to retain the bragging rights in the Battle of the Bell when the team travels to Marshall in the final road game of the season. The Bobcats will host Toledo, Miami, Kent State and Bowling Green. Ohio began spring practice yesterday and looks to better last fall's 7-4 record.
**Ohio picks Director of Academic Services** Ohio Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh recently named Lori Friel Director of Academic Services for the Ohio Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The position involves tracking academic progress for student-athletes as well as addressing graduation and eligibility issues for those students. Friel is replacing Patrick Rowe, who resigned to pursue other career opportunities. Friel recently worked for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she was an academic advisor for athletics and NCAA academic services since 1990. She monitored academic policies for the Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team, women's basketball team, women's volleyball team, baseball and softball teams. She also served as an accounting supervisor at Jolley, Urga, Wirth and Woodbury in Las Vegas. Ohio Director of Compliance Jennifer Stiles said Friel should fit in well at Ohio. "She is a strong counselor," said Stiles. "She loves what she does, and it shows." |