June 3, 2004

LA GRANDE, Ore. - Earlier this week, Eric Griffiths, Ian Schroeder and Stephanie Colkitt were honored by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Daktronics Corporation with All-American Scholar-Athlete awards for their achievements in the classroom as well as on the track.

Those three Mountaineers, along with eight other Mountaineers, recently participated in the NAIA National Outdoor Track & Field Championship in Louisville, Ky.  Griffiths' and Schroeder's performance helped the EOU men's team to a 7th place finish, highest ever in school history.

Griffiths, a junior from Hubbard, Ore. who is majoring in Biology, finished 4th in the 10,000 meter run, garnering All-American status.  He also just missed a top-10 finish in the 5000 meters with an 11th place finish.

Schroeder, a junior history major from Milwaukie, Ore., ran in the 1500 event, finished 7th in his preliminary heat, narrowly missing a shot at the finals.

Colkitt, a sophomore from nearby Union, Ore., is majoring in Physical Education & Health at EOU. Colkitt participated in the 3000-meter Steeplechase, finished 8th in her semifinal heat and did not advance to the finals.

Griffiths was also recognized this week by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors Association as a 1st Team District VIII Academic All-American in Cross Country/Track & Field.

CoSIDA's District VIII Academic All-American award takes into account all cross country and track & field athletes in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, and British Columbia covering all NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA institutions.