Athletics | 11/8/2007 11:24:15 AM

Two Western Oregon volleyball players and two WOU football standouts were named today to the ESPN the Magazine All-District VIII College Division Academic teams.


In addition, five Wolves cross country runners were announced today as Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Academic team members.


Senior offensive lineman Brett Rhodes and senior safety Zach Christopherson were selected to the all-district first team for football. Both will now advance to the national Academic All-American ballot. Rhodes, from Canby, is a four-year starter for the Wolves with a 3.57 grade point average in Physical Education. Christopherson, from Portland's Wilson High School, is a three-year starter with a 3.37 GPA in Chemistry.


The All-District VIII team is made up of players from the NCAA Division II, III and NAIA levels on the west coast.


Junior middle blocker Stacey Bennett and sophomore Lisa Martini were both named to the ESPN the Magazine All-District College Division Academic second team. Bennett, from Beaverton's Westview High School, carries a 3.89 GPA in Psychology, while Martini (Philomath) posts a 3.94 in Exercise Science.


Five WOU runners were named to the All-GNAC Academic team today as well. Junior Nik Karr (Tigard) carries a 3.78 GPA in Physical Education, while sophomore Kyle Seick (Central HS) has the same GPA in Nursing. Sophomore Beau Backman (Gig Harbor, Wash.) has a 3.32 in History.


Sophomore Alee Rowley (Kenai, Alaska) has a 3.69 GPA in Mathematics and junior Jessica Harper posts a 3.75 grade point average in Spanish.