Greeley, Colo. - The University of Northern Colorado has selected its student-athlete award winners for the 1998-99 academic year. Among the awards presented are the Senior Athlete of the Year, Outstanding Athlete of the Year and the UNC Sportsmanship Award given to one male and one female athlete. Other awards named were the George Sage Scholar Athlete Award for the senior male with the highest grade point average (GPA), and the Mary Behling Scholar Athlete Award for the senior female athlete with the highest GPA.

This years winner of the male Senior Athlete of the Year Award was Brian Scott. A two-time first team All-NCC selection at linebacker for the Bears, Scott was a member of UNCs two national championship football teams. A native of Estes Park, Colo., he recorded 80 tackles for the Bears last season.

Roxann Kaiser, was selected as the Senior Female Athlete of the Year. Kaiser won four individual NCC titles and four NCC doubles titles over the course of her career at UNC. A native of Eaton, Colo. she has an 11-9 overall record this season.

The UNC Sportsmanship is given to a male and female student who exhibit leadership on and off the court and who possess sportsmanship and academic integrity. This season, seniors Cathy Bowles and Michael Allen of the UNC basketball teams received the award.

Bowles, a two-time all-conference selection from Colorado Springs, also received academic All-American honorable mention honors her junior season. She is a member of the NCAA Committee on Womens Athletics and a student representative on the national committee. As the president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bowles helped organize numerous community service and campus projects.

The 1998-99 mens basketball team captain, Allen finished the 1999 season as UNCs leading scorer. The Bellwood, Ill. native is involved in numerous community service projects, including volunteering at local middle schools and as a Special Olympics volunteer. Allen, also received the US West Dex "Excellence in Education" award earlier this season.

This years Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award was given to two UNC national champions, Kim Schiemenz and Scott Hewit.

Hewit was the 1999, 157-pound, national wrestling champion. A four time All-American from Commerce City, Colo., he also was a four time all-conference selection. Hewit became only the third athlete in school history to become a four time all-American with his national championship this season.

Schiemenz, became UNCs first ever female national champion when she won the heptathlon at the 1998 national track and field meet in May. She also finished second in the high jump at the NCAA meet. A two sport athlete, the Brighton, Colo., native also competed on the UNC volleyball team where she earned all-conference honors earlier this year.

UNC also honored seniors Jodie Nomi and Karen Smidt with the Mary Behling Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. Both athletes are 4.0 students at UNC. Nomi, who hails from Kapaa, Hawaii, is majoring in kinesiology and Smidt, a native of Brighton, Colo., is majoring in English Education.

Senior wrestler Rob Sistek, who also has a 4.0 GPA, received the George Sage Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. Sistek, who is majoring in business and accounting is originally from Omaha, Nebraska.

Following is a compete list of this years UNC student athlete award winners:

Senior Athlete of the Year
Brian Scott, Football
Roxann Kaiser, Womens Tennis

Sportsmanship Award
Cathy Bowles, Womens Basketball
Mickael Allen, Mens Basketball

Outstanding Athlete of the Year
Kim Schiemenz, Volleyball
Scott Hewit, Wrestling

Mary Behling Scholar Athlete of the Year
Jodie Nomi, Womens Soccer
Karen Smidt, Womens Cross Country and Womens Track

George Sage Scholar Athlete of the Year
Rob Sistek, Wrestling