June 12, 2002

Twelve Bulldogs Named MIAA Presidential Scholars After Earning 4.0 GPA

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association has announced the 2001-02 MIAA Presidential Scholars.

A total of 57 student-athletes, 21 men and 36 women, were recognized. Eight members of the list were seniors who earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages during their careers, including defensive back Lance Dorsey (Hannibal, Mo.), volleyball player Jenny Glenn (Granby, Colo.) and swimmer Christine Gould (Chesterfield, Mo.) from Truman.

Freshman Diana Betsworth (East Moline, Ill.) is the only national champion among the 12 Bulldog Presidential Scholars named to the list. Both Betsworth and teammate Sarah Dance (Lincoln, Neb.), who is also a freshman, contributed to Truman's second-straight national championship women's swimming team this past season.

Furthermore, six of Truman's presidential scholars were significant contributors to their respective teams and were also named academic all-conference by the league, qualifying for that honor by maintaining a 3.5 GPA and earning all-conference status, or the equivalent, on the athletic field. Those individuals included freshman tennis player Steve Jones (St. Louis), Betsworth, Dance, freshman all-America swimmer Gina Fettig (Billings, Mont.), Glenn and freshman Abigail Souders (Rosemount, Minn.) of the tennis team.

To earn the distinction of MIAA Presidential scholar, a student-athlete must have a cumulative 4.0 grade-point average and a minimum of two terms of attendance at the institution.

Student-athletes at MIAA schools competing in sports which the conference does not sponsor a championship and who meet the academic requirement, are eligible for the honor as well.

Fully one-fifth of those named MIAA presidential scholars this year were from Truman, while nine of the 10 MIAA schools had student-athletes named to the contingent.

Listed below are the Truman men and women who were named MIAA Presidential Scholars:

Men
Andy Crossett (Liberty, Mo.), Golf, Fr., Political Science/Pre-Law
Lance Dorsey (Hannibal, Mo.), Football, Sr., Biology/Pre-Med.
Austin George (Wichita, Kan.), Golf, Fr., Pre-Business Administration
Shawn Guethle (Dexter, Mo.), Basketball, So., Pre-Business Administration
Steve Jones (St. Louis), Tennis, Fr., Accounting
Brett Werenski (Curryville, Mo.), Basketball, Fr., Pre-Business Administration

Women
Diana Betsworth (East Moline, Ill.), Swimming, Fr., Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy
Sarah Dance (Lincoln, Neb.), Swimming, Fr., Exercise Science/Pre-Med.
Gina Fettig (Billings, Mont.), Swimming, Fr., Biology
Jenny Glenn (Granby, Colo.), Volleyball, Sr., Exercise Science
Christine Gould (Chesterfield, Mo.), Swimming, Sr., Biology
Abigail Souders (Rosemount, Minn.), Tennis, Fr., Undeclared