MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Erica Oawster (Sr. -Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial) has been chosen the recipient of the 2019 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Outdoor Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Award.
Oawster is an organizational communication major with a minor in science of coaching and maintains a 3.76 grade point average. She is a three-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic honoree and a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Oawster has been recognized on UW-Eau Claire's Dean's List numerous semesters.
A team captain this year, Oawster won the shot put at the WIAC championship for the second consecutive season and finished runner-up in the discus after winning the event in 2017 and 2018. A year ago, she was selected the Field Performer of the Meet from the WIAC championship and finished second in the discus at the NCAA Division III Championship to secure All-America accolades. She is a two-time All-Region selection, earning recognition in the discus in 2017, as well as the shot put and discus in 2018. Oawster holds school records in the shot put and discus.
Oawster is a head student leader for Athletes in Action. She has volunteered at a Boys and Girls Club, as well as a strength and performance coach with UW-Eau Claire's women's ice hockey and softball teams.
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she was Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) from October 1984 - September 1996. Kruckman was the women's athletics director at UW-Eau Claire from 1974-84, and one of the original representatives to the WWIAC when it formed in 1971.
In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, she must be in her last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.
