May 13, 1997

Kruse, Littlepage Earn Pacific-10 Conference Medals

Gymnast David Kruse and triple jumper Amy Littlepage were named the University of California's winners of the Pacific-10 Conference Medal at the annual Student-Athlete Honors Lunch held today on campus. Seven athletes earned special honors as listed below, while 72 Golden Bear athletes were recognized for posting a gpa of 3.5 and above. The University also honored 11 of its 26 intercollegiate athletic teams for carrying a team gpa of 3.0 and above.

The Pac-10 Conference Medal is awarded annually at each Pac-10 institution to the outstanding senior male and female student-athlete, determined by performance and achievement in scholarship, athletics and leadership.

Kruse, three-time team captain, led the Golden Bear gymnastics team to the 1997 NCAA title last month. A six-time All-American, Kruse finished fifth in the all-around and second on the high bar at the 1997 NCAA Championships. Kruse carries a 3.2 gpa in pre-med studies, is a frequent participant in the Cal Athletic Speaker's Bureau and volunteers in the emergency room at HighlandHospital in Oakland.

Littlepage, a three-time All-American, is the two-time defending Pac-10 champion in the triple jump. Littlepage's season-best jump of 42-10.75 leads all Pac-10 athletes this season, and is an NCAA provisional and Pac-10 qualifying mark. Her All-America honors came at the 1997 NCAA Indoor Championships (9th place), 1996 NCAA Outdoor (7th) and 1995 NCAA Outdoor (8th). She carries a 3.0 gpa in a double major of neurobiology and psychology and plans to attend medical school.

Basketball player Alfred Grigsby earned the Jake Gimbel Prize and gymnast Candice Kwok received the Anna Espenschade Award, awards that recognize the graduating male and female student-athlete for excellence in attitude in athletic endeavor. The prizes were established to encourage students to maintain an attitude of "proper and just relation of athletics to scholastic activity and attainment".

Grigsby, the 1996-97 basketball team captain, battled a series of injuries over a three-year span and was granted a rare sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA. Grigsby was Cal's leading rebounder and a dominant force in leading Cal to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament this season. Grigsby exhibited such dedication, perseverance and loyalty to the Cal program that his jersey was retired prior to this season's final home game.

Kwok, gymnastics team captain, was Cal's top performer on the vault and balance beam, leading the team to school record performances. Kwok earned Pac-10 All-Academic team honors, and demonstrated tremendous leadership and ability to unite a diverse team. She is a student-athlete mentor, participant in the Speakers Bureau, and a member of the Captains Council. Kwok will also represent Cal at the first NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida later this month.

The Walter A. Haas Jr. Award for Community Service was given to track and field co-captain Jamila English. English, an NCAA provisional and Pac-10 qualifier in the 400m hurdles this season, is a frequent participant in the Cal Athletic Speakers Bureau and is an Athletic Study Center Peer Advisor. A mentor and tutor through the Education department, English was impressive as a speaker at the 1997 Charter Day ceremonies. She is a history major with a career interest in teaching.

Gymnast Justin McCue and field hockey team-captain Cynthia Lee were the recipients of the Neufeld Scholar Athlete Award, given to the graduating student-athlete with the highest cumulative gpa. McCue, a member of Cal's 1997 NCAA Championship team, carries a 3.893 gpa in chemical engineering. Lee has posted an impressive 3.988 gpa in biomechanical engineering, with only one A- keeping her from a perfect 4.0 gpa. Both McCue and Lee have accepted fellowships at MIT for graduate school.

The women's volleyball team and women's cross country team shared the honor for highest team gpa (3.22). In addition, the following nine Golden Bear squads posted team gpa's above 3.0 (in descending order): men's gymnastics, women's swimming, women's basketball, women's tennis, women's golf, men's cross country, women's soccer, women's water polo and men's swimming.

The Golden Bear Award is given to the student-athlete on each of Cal's 26 intercollegiate teams with the highest cumulative gpa in at least two semesters at Cal, and meeting a minimum 3.2 gpa. The men's honorees include: Andrew Miller (baseball), Michael Wood (crew), Bill McMorran (cross country), Yauger Williams (football), Justin McCue (men's gymnastics), Scott Compton (rugby), Mike Haralambakis (soccer), Tuan Tran (track & field), Brad Kittredge (water polo). The women's honorees are: Elke Snijder (women's basketball), Corinna Bosworth (crew), Julie Meyers (cross country), Cynthia Lee (field hockey), Nicole Bolter (golf), Kelly Webster (gymnastics), Rachel Davidson (soccer), Jessica Parker (softball), Amy Vastine (swimming), Francesca La'O (tennis), Kirsten Jensen (track & field), Sara Waltman (volleyball), Beth Rasala (water polo).