Semester-end sports awards

The Best of Spring 2009

Compiled by Alexis Terrazas, Ian Kesseler, Ernie Morales, Jorn Anderson and Chelena Goldman.

Male Athlete of the Semester -- Steve Franklin

The 285-pound junior concluded his 2009-wrestling season with the best record on the team, going 29-14 and All-America accolades, placing sixth at the 2009 wrestling Division II Championships.

Earlier in the season, he cemented his place in the Gator record books, earning a spot on the All-Time career pin list with 19.

Honorable Mention - Alex Thomas

As the (CC) leader of the SF State men's basketball team, Alex Thomas excelled on the 84-by-50-hardwood floor, displaying his potent sharpshooting ability this season

His silky smooth jumper gave way to 42 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc, the third highest on the team, while netting 76 percent at the free-throw stripe. (CC)

In mid-February, Thomas surpassed the 1,000-point plateau, placing him 10th all-time in scoring for the purple and the gold. He was selected to the All-CCAA second team the following month.

In 28 starts, the 6-foot-2 senior guard led the Gators with 75 assists.

After tearing his labrum muscle, an injury that would've KO'd most wrestlers from a (CC) regular season competition, Curtis Schurkamp kept on chuggin'. The 125-pound senior held on to his no. 1 Division II national ranking for a year, but took placed (CC) 7th (CC) at the NCAA national tournament.

Though he didn't live up to his ranking, Schurkamp still managed All-America accolades with one arm and posted winning record of 16-10.

Female Athlete of the Semester -- Ashley Jackson

The Gators' softball ace was selected to the 2008-2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 8 Softball College Division First Team.

Jackson finished the season with a 16-11 record and a 2.02 ERA, along with 122 strikeouts. The pitcher's name will be placed on the All-American ballot and the team will be released on May 27.

Male Rookie of the Semester -- Naveed Bagheri

There was simply no better rookie this semester than freshman wrestler Naveed Bagheri. The All-American was SF State's highest placer at the wrestling NCAA Division II Championships, taking fifth.

Before the national tournament, the 133-pounder took the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title and compiled an impressive 27-12 record.

Female Rookie of the Semester -- Luisa Musika

This female throwing freshman was actually in the running for Female Athlete of the Semester. But with Musika qualifying for the 2009 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field championships later this month, no other rookie deserved this honor more.

Musika is ranked 24 in the women's shot put event and 14 in the women's discus throw.
Earlier this season, she recorded the second longest distance in both SF State outdoor shot put and discus throw, hurling for 45.38 meters in discus and 13.43 meters in shot put.

She will be the lone Gator at the 2009 championships in San Angelo, Texas, taking place on March 21-23.

Team of the Semester -- Wrestling

Though an overall record of 9-6 may not seem impressive, when you consider the caliber of opposition the wrestling team faced this year, it is.

The wrestling team challenged multiple Division I teams this semester, and managed to beat UC Davis in their home opener. But aside from the winning record, the team also sent five wrestlers to the Division II NCAA national tournament, and brought back four All-Americans.

Honorable Mention

Softball deserves a spot here, as they were the only other team this semester that had a winning record of 31-24.

The Women's and Men's basketball teams also get recognition for making the CCAA playoffs.

Coach of the Semester -- Lars Jensen

The vote was unanimous -- Coach Jensen was the man this semester. Jensen turned in his first winning season (9-6) since winning a national title in 1997. That championship remains the only national title in the school's history.

Jensen also guided five battered and bruised wrestlers to the NCAA Division II championships, and returned with four All-Americans.

Most Improved Team -- Baseball

SF State's baseball team ended their 2009 campaign with a 14-33 record, almost doubling their win total from 2008 when they went 8-46-1. Setting the bar that low leaves the Gators with no place to go but up, making 2010 a potentially promising year for the team.