May 31, 2002

Moraga, CA - The West Coast Conference announced its 2002 Spring All-Academic team on Thursday, May 30, 2002. Saint Mary's had nine student-athletes honored for their excellence in the classroom as well as on the field. Frank Schmidtt of the men's tennis team led this year's spring crop with a 3.96 grade point average.

At the completion of each athletic season, the WCC selects an all-academic squad for each of the participating sponsored sports. To be considered, a student-athlete must earn at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average, be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials, and have sophomore athletic and academic standing.

Men's tennis had three members make the all-academic team while two of them were repeat performers in Thomas Burgemeister and Arturo Planell. Burgemeister, a junior, earned a 3.88 GPA with a Business major and Planell, a senior, earned a 3.80 GPA with a Business major as well. Schmidtt, sophomore, with a undeclared major made the list for the first time in his collegiate career.

The Gaels baseball team placed two on the list in senior Brian Houle and junior Mark Teahen. This is the second straight year Houle has been named to the all-academic squad after earning a 3.23 GPA with a major in History. Teahen earned a 3.22 GPA in HPE&R with a specifics in Teaching and was also named to the Verizon All-American District VII All-Academic Team.

The women's rowing team placed two members led by two-time honoree Christine Dennler. The senior tallied a 3.94 cumulative grade point average with a major in Business. Christina Sobral was also an honoree, as the senior earned a 3.23 GPA with a Politics major.

Rounding out the field was Garret Deal a member of the golf team and Catalina Fillol, a member of the women's tennis team. Deal, a senior, earned a 3.20 GPA with a major in History. The junior Fillol earned a 3.34 GPA as a Psychology major.