Four Blugolds Earn WIAC Athlete of the Week Honors

Four Blugolds Earn WIAC Athlete of the Week Honors

MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – UW-Eau Claire women's basketball guard Abby Midtlien (So.-Chaseburg, WI/Westby), men's hockey forward Ross Andersen (Sr.-River Falls, WI), men’s track runner Thurgood Dennis (Sr.-Allouez, WI/Green Bay Notre Dame) and thrower Roger Steen (Sr.-Luck, WI) have all been named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Athletes of the Week, it was announced today by Assistant Commissioner of Media Relations Matt Stanek.

Midtlien helped lead the Blugolds to two home conference victories.  In a 64-59 win over conference-leading UW-Superior on Feb. 4, Midtlien scored 15 points to go along with three rebounds and one assist with no turnovers.  She made five-of-seven field goal attempts, including a perfect three-for-three from the three-point line and two-of-two free throws.  In a 64-49 triumph over UW-Whitewater on Feb. 7, Midtlien posted a game-high 15 points, in addition to collecting six rebounds and one steal with no turnovers in 30 minutes of action.  It was the first home victory for the Blugolds over the Warhawks since December 10, 2011.  For the week, Midtlien averaged 15 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, to go along with one assist and one steal.  Midtlien made 10-of-16 (.625) field goals, including five-of-eight (.625) three-point field goals and five-of-six (.833) free throws.

Andersen scored six points in a series sweep at UW-Superior.  In a 5-3 victory over the Yellowjackets on Feb. 6, Andersen scored one goal, while adding three assists.  His goal at 15:46 of the second period broke a 2-2 tie.  Andersen assisted on the game-winning goal at 10:50 of the third period and also assisted the Blugolds’ final goal at 13:53 of the third period.  In a 5-3 Blugold win on Feb. 7, Andersen scored two goals.  Down 2-0, Andersen ignited the UW-Eau Claire comeback, scoring the Blugolds’ first goal of the game at 16:50 of the first period.  Andersen scored the final goal of the game at 13:24 of the third period, securing the come-from- behind victory.  The Blugolds have won six straight games over the Yellowjackets and are 11-0-3 in their last 14 meetings against UW-Superior.  UW-Eau Claire has not lost at Wessman Arena since November 21, 2009.  It is the third time this season that Andersen has been WIAC Men's Hockey Athlete of the Week which is more than any other player in the conference.

Dennis competed in the 200-meter dash for the first time this year winning the event at the Pointer Invitational hosted by UW-Stevens Point.  He won the event in 22.13, which is the fastest time in all of NCAA Division III this season.  Dennis was also a member of the first-place 4 x 400-meter relay team who completed the race in a time of 3:20.18, which is currently the fifth-fastest time in NCAA Division III.

Steen won the shot put at the Pointer Invitational hosted by UW-Stevens Point, setting a school record in the process.  He claimed the event with a throw of 58-6 3/4 (17.85 meters), which was more than 14 inches further than his next closest competitor.  Steen broke the school record of 57-8 1/4 feet (17.58 meters) set by John Schuna on January 29, 2005 at UW-Whitewater.  His record-setting throw currently ranks second nationally in NCAA Division III.