Dobrzynski, Rupp Named Pac-10 Scholar Athletes of the Year
CYPRESS, Calif. - University of Oregon student-athletes Nicole Dobrzynski and Galen Rupp have been named the Pacific-10 Conference's Toyo Tires Scholar Athletes of the year in women's soccer and men's cross country, respectively.
Rupp recently won the 2008 NCAA Cross Country individual championship in Terre Haute, Ind., while Dobrzynski just completed her Oregon career as the school's record-holder for both matches played and started.
A two-time Academic All-American and a 2008 Olympian in the 10,000 meters, Rupp led the Ducks to their second straight NCAA cross country championship in 2008. The Portland, Ore., native was also the 2008 Pac-10 and NCAA West Regional individual champion, and was earlier named the USTFCCCA national and Pac-10 athlete of the year.
He has won nine All-America awards in cross country and track and field during his storied Oregon career. He is the school record-holder in the 10,000 meters, the indoor 3,000 meters and the indoor 5,000 meters. Rupp has a 3.91 grade point average in business administration.
Dobrzynski, a native of Danville, Calif., has earned a 3.81 cumulative GPA in business administration in her four years with the Ducks' soccer team. The 5-foot-9 senior not only excelled in the classroom, as she was a staple of the Oregon defense throughout her stellar career.
"Dobby has meant so much to this program both on and off the field," said Oregon soccer head coach Tara Erickson. "She has had an outstanding career here and made a difference from the moment she arrived. Her presence on the defense is sure to be missed greatly."
She was the epitome of consistency and toughness for the Ducks, as Dobrzynski set new Oregon career records in both games played and starts with 77 each.
While patrolling the backline for the Ducks, Dobrzynski still managed two assists in her career, including one this season, in Oregon's 3-2 win over Utah. The Ducks were .500 or better during each of Dobrzynski's four yearsm including a 9-9-2 mark in 2008.
Dobrzynski has also been recognized academically this season on the ESPN the Magazine District 8 team and the Pac-10 All-Academic First-Team, her third straight selection to that prestigious group.
Winners of the Toyo Tires Scholar Athlete award for the 2008 fall season include:
* Alex Mack (Santa Barbara, Calif.), California at Berkeley, Football - 3.60, Education
* Cynthia Barboza (Long Beach, Calif.), Stanford, Volleyball - 3.34, Political Science
* George John (Shoreline, Wash.), Washington, Men's Soccer - 3.42, Business Administration
* Galen Rupp (Portland, Ore.), Oregon, Men's Cross Country - 3.91, Business Administration
* Nicole Dobrzynski (Danville, Calif.), Oregon, Women's Soccer - 3.81, Business Administration
* Jenna Kingma (San Luis Obispo, Calif.), Arizona State, Women's Cross Country - 3.63, Marketing
A Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be named in each of the Pac-10's 22 sponsored sports: baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, football, men's golf, women's golf, women's gymnastics, men's rowing, women's rowing, men's soccer, women's soccer, softball, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, men's tennis, women's tennis, men's track & field, women's track & field, women's volleyball and wrestling.
Each Pac-10 institution will nominate one individual per sport, and the winners will be selected by a committee of Pac-10 staff members at the conclusion of each sport's regular season. The athletic accomplishments of the nominees will be a consideration in the voting for the award.
The nomination criteria are:
* Senior (in athletics eligibility) on track to receive a degree;
* Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher;
* Participation in at least 50% of the scheduled contest in the sport; and
* Minimum of one year in residence at the institution
"Toyo is proud to support the Pac-10 and to acknowledge outstanding student-athletes for their efforts," said Steve Hutchinson, senior director of marketing, Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation. "By supporting today's achievers, we feel we are helping to grow tomorrow's leaders."
The Scholar-Athletes of the Year in each sport will receive a commemorative award. Toyo will donate $1,000 to the scholarship funds of the institution�s athletic department of each winner in recognition of their accomplishments.
