Concordia's Caitlin Verhofstadt (arm raised) and Oregon Tech's Josh Strom have been named the 2008-09 CCC Scholar-Athletes of the Year.
Verhofstadt, Strom: Scholar-Athletes of '08-09
PORTLAND, Ore. – Caitlin Verhofstadt of the Concordia University women’s soccer team and Josh Strom of the Oregon Tech baseball team have been voted the 2008-09 Cascade Collegiate Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year, the league office announced today.
The annual awards, voted on by the CCC’s athletic directors, are presented to one male and one female who have distinguished themselves on the field of play and in the classroom during the academic year.
Verhofstadt, a senior from Silverdale, Wash., graduated this spring with a degree in physical education. A four-year player for the Cavalier soccer program, she was selected to the Academic All-CCC and CoSIDA Academic All-District teams this past season. The two-time honorable mention NAIA All-American led the conference in assists her final two seasons, including 16 as a senior in 2008. She helped the Cavs to four CCC championships and four appearances in the NAIA tournament, including an appearance in the NAIA title game last season when she was named to the NAIA’s all-tournament team.
"It is a great honor for Caitlin and for our program,” said CU women’s soccer coach Grant Landy. “Caitlin has distinguished herself with her leadership for our program and her commitment to excellence in the classroom. She has been a joy to coach, a role model on our campus, and one of those student-athletes who is committed to making a difference in other people's lives."
Strom, a senior left-hander from Canby, Ore., will graduate later this week with a degree in mechanical engineering technology. He was recognized on the CCC’s All-Academic team in addition to being named an NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete.
The 6-0 Strom was honored as the Cascade Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Year this past season after compiling an 8-4 record and 3.16 ERA for the Hustlin’ Owls, who captured an NAIA West division title in addition to winning a school-record 33 games. Strom threw six complete games in 14 starts and led the Owls with 72 strikeouts. Strom ranked No. 1 in the conference in innings pitched (88 1/3) and ranked second in the league in strikeouts and wins.
“Josh was a big part in our program’s success this year,” said OIT baseball coach Matt Miles. “His leadership on and off the field is due in large part to his character and his academic success. As a program we thank Josh for his dedication in displaying the true meaning of ‘student-athlete.’”