EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - Seven UW-Eau Claire student-athletes have been recognized by being named an Athlete of the Week for the 29th week of the 2013-14 season.
Softball
Position – Casey Arnold, Catcher, 5-8, Junior, Kaukauma, Wis.
Arnold started six games this week at catcher, two conference and four nonconference against nationally-ranked opponents. She had a .474 batting average with nine hits, including two home runs, in 19 at-bats. Saturday, she hit a two-run homer in an 8-0 win in six innings over 25th-ranked Washington University (Mo.), and the following game against No. 21 Anderson University (Ind.), she hit a solo homer which eventually helped lead the Blugolds to a 10-1 victory in five innings. Arnold completed the week with four RBI, tied for second most on the team, a slugging percentage of .789 with 15 total bases and an on-base percentage of .500. In the field, she recorded 27 putouts with five assists and no errors.
Pitcher – Lauren Blasczyk, Righthanded Pitcher, 5-9, Freshman, Appleton, Wis./East
Blasczyk started two games and made three appearances this week, including one appearance in a conference game and starts in two nonconference games against nationally-ranked opponents. Saturday against 25th-ranked Washington University (Mo.), Blasczyk pitched a complete game and earned the win after the Blugolds defeated the Bears 8-0 in six innings. Facing 21 batters, she recorded four strikeouts and gave up just three hits. She also started and pitched five innings against 19th-ranked Illinois Wesleyan on Sunday, a game the Blugolds lost 6-0. For the week she pitched 11.1 innings and had a 1.85 ERA, giving up 10 hits and four runs, only three of which were earned, while striking out five batters.
Men’s Tennis
Ryan Vande Linde, Senior, Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial
Against Luther College (Iowa) on Friday, Vande Linde won at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles but the Blugolds came up short 6-3. In singles, he won 6-3, 6-2 while the pair of Vande Linde and Joe Meier won No. 1 doubles 8-6.
Women’s Tennis
Mary Frassetto, Senior, Oshkosh, Wis./West
With the Blugolds beating Luther College (Iowa) 6-3 on Friday, Frassetto won both her No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles matches. In singles, she picked up a 6-3, 6-4 win while the duo of Frassetto and Madison Rossebo won 8-2 in doubles.
Women’s Golf
Kate Engler, Junior, Beloit, Wis./F.J. Turner
Engler led the Blugolds as she came in 13th place with 160 strokes, 10 behind the winner, at the Illinois Wesleyan Spring Fling at Ironwood Golf Course. As a team, the Blugolds finished in ninth place.
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Track – Thurgood Dennis, Junior, Allouez, Wis./Green Bay Notre Dame
Competing at the UW-Platteville Invitational on Saturday, Dennis led the Blugolds as he won two events. He took first in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.28 seconds, breaking his old school record of 10.30 seconds, set on April 13, 2013 in Platteville. He also won the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.13 seconds. His 100 time was the top time in the nation so far this year while his 200 time was the second best in the nation. Dennis also anchored the Blugolds’ 4x400-meter relay team that took third place with a time of 3:20.28.
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Field – Julia Stedman, Sophomore, Maplewood, Minn./North St. Paul
Competing at the UW-Platteville Invitational on Saturday, Stedman took first place in the triple jump with a distance of 11.27 meters (36-11.75).