MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s basketball player Anna Graaskamp (Eau Claire, Wis. /Memorial), gymnast Tori Erickson (Woodbury, Minn.), women’s hockey player Mariah Czech (Andover, Minn.), women’s indoor track & field thrower Erica Oawster (Lino Lakes, Minn. /Centennial), and wrestler Ramsey Bloy (Freedom, Wis. ) have each been named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Athletes of the Week, it was announced today by Assistant Commissioner of Media Relations Matt Stanek.
Graaskamp averaged 19.5 points and 6.5 rebounds as UW-Eau Claire defeated UW-Stout, 85-62, and No. 13- ranked UW-Oshkosh 67-62. In two games during the week, she totaled 39 points by converting 18-31 (58 percent) shots from the field and 2-of-3 free throws. She was also 1-of-1 from the three-point line, while adding 13 rebounds and two blocks. In UW-Eau Claire’s win over UW-Stout on Jan. 31, Graaskamp counted 21 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 30 minutes of action. In the Blugolds’ victory over UW-Oshkosh, she tallied game-highs of 18 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes of activity. Graaskamp came up big for the Blugolds in the third quarter - going 5-of-5 from the floor for 10 of her 18 points. The women's basketball team will host UW-La Crosse at 7:00pm tomorrow in Zorn Arena.
Erickson won her second straight all-around competition at the Gershon/McLellan Invitational at UW-La Crosse on Feb. 2. Erickson, who set a new school record in the all-around last week, tallied the seventh-highest score in program history with a 37.500. She finished tied for second on the balance beam (9.550), tied for third on the floor exercise (9.600), fourth on vault (9.500) and 11th on the uneven bars (8.850). The gymnastics team host Hamline tomorrow at 6:00pm in the McPhee Center.
Czech scored both Blugold goals in a 2-1 triumph at UW-Stevens Point on Feb. 3, to help the Blugolds earn a weekend sweep over the Pointers. She scored her first goal just a minute and a half into the game. Czech recorded her second goal at the 16:41 mark in the third period. UW-Eau Claire defeated UW-Stevens Point 2-1 in overtime on Feb. 2. The women's hockey team travel to UW-River Falls on Feb. 10.
Oawster won the shot put at UW-Stevens Point’s Pointer Invitational held Feb. 3. She had a throw of 46-2 12 (14.08m), which currently ranks her fifth in the NCAA Division III and second in the WIAC. The women's indoor track & field team will compete at the St. Thomas invite on Feb. 9.
Bloy became the first Blugold to take first place at the Don Parker Open since Joe Pitsch won the heavyweight title in 2012. Bloy used a pair of decisions and major decisions to reach the finals and secure a rematch against No. 7-ranked Lance Benick of Augsburg University (Minn.) in the 197-pound bracket. Benick defeated Bloy (5-3) two weeks ago, but Bloy avenged the loss with a 4-3 comeback decision. The wrestling team travels to UW-Whitewater for the WIAC Championships on Friday Feb. 9.
