CCIW Release

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University saw 64 student-athletes named to the Dave Wrath Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin team for the winter season Friday, April 1. Seniors Matthew Leritz (St. Louis, Mo.-St. Louis University HS) and Ellen Gilbert (Northbrook, Ill.-Glenbrook North) were recognized as IWU's Jack Swartz awardees.

The Jack Swartz award recognizes two student-athletes (one male and one female) from each of the member institutions. To be eligible, an individual must have an overall grade point average of 3.50 or above and must have lettered in their respective sport for that season. Trevor Martin (men's soccer) and Jessica McCall (women's volleyball) received the honor this past fall.

In the fall of 2021, the CCIW Academic All-Conference Team was renamed the "Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference Team", named after long-time Augustana administrator Dave Wrath. Wrath retired from his role as the Associate Director of Athletics for Media and Alumni Relations, serving the Vikings for 40 years, in June of 2021. In addition to his duties at Augustana, Wrath served as the CCIW Sports Information Director from 1996 to 2005 and was instrumental in establishing the CCIW's Academic All-Conference Program in 2005.

Leritz closed out his Titan career with a sensational senior season. He was voted a First Team All-American by both the National Association of Basketball Coaches and D3hoops.com, was Division III College Sports Information Directors of America's Men's Basketball Academic All-America of the Year, as well a first Academic All-American, and was named the CCIW's Most Outstanding Player. Leritz, a unanimous First Team All-CCIW selection, was named a finalist for the prestigious Josten's Award, and was also named to the Bevo Francis Top-25 Watch List by Small College Basketball. The St. Louis, Mo. native led the team with 17.8 points per game, while also topping the team with 9.5 rebounds per contest. He broke the IWU single game rebounding record at Yeshiva, and eclipsed the 1,000-career point mark, as captain of a Green and White squad that reached the Elite Eight.

Gilbert finished her career as an All-American honoree after a top-eight performance in the 200 yard butterfly race at the NCAA Tournament, March 18. She also competed in the 200 IM and 100 fly in addition to the 200 fly, and was also the only female CCIW student-athlete to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. In her final season in the Green and White uniform, Gilbert was named the CCIW Swimming Student-Athlete of the Year, the CCIW Most Valuable Swimming Student-Athlete, and the Elite 25 award winner. Gilbert is also ranked ninth in all of Division III after her career-best time in the 200 fly of 2:02.00. At the CCIW Championships, the Northbrook, Ill. native clinched first-place finishes in the 500 free (5:05.44), 100 fly ( 56.72), 200 fly (2:03.08), 400 yard medley relay (3:54.30), 400 yard freestyle relay (3:32.62), and 800 yard freestyle relay (7:42.43) to earn All-CCIW honors. 

The Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference list comprises those individuals that achieved an overall grade-point average of 3.30 or above and have served at least one year in residency at their respective school. Over 600 names were recognized during the Winter 2022 season. A full list of IWU's Dave Wrath Academic All-CCIW honorees for the 2021-22 winter season can be found below.

Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference
Luke Yoder, Men's Basketball
Ryan Sroka, Men's Basketball
Evan Schneider, Men's Basketball
Peter Lambesis, Men's Basketball
Cory Noe, Men's Basketball
Matthew Leritz, Men's Basketball
Mason McCauley, Men's Swimming & Diving
Donald Tichy, Men's Swimming & Diving
Henry Moore, Men's Swimming & Diving
Shannon Pinto, Men's Swimming & Diving
Ethan Lowder, Men's Swimming & Diving
Jackson Rapala, Men's Swimming & Diving
Natalie Wajda, Women's Swimming & Diving
Lauren Feddersen, Women's Swimming & Diving
Emma Stroh, Women's Swimming & Diving
Hannah Murray, Women's Swimming & Diving
Sami Curtis, Women's Swimming & Diving
Megan Wong, Women's Swimming & Diving
Shannon Murphy, Women's Swimming & Diving
Anna Keebler, Women's Swimming & Diving
Amanda Smith, Women's Swimming & Diving
Ellen Gilbert, Women's Swimming & Diving
Macy Michorczyk, Women's Bowling
Shea Atkins, Women's Bowling
Sarah Buchmann, Women's Bowling
Jade Miller, Women's Bowling
Ashley Cook, Women's Bowling
Kelly Carlson, Women's Basketball
Claire Retherford, Women's Basketball
Brooke Lansford, Women's Basketball
Emma Kornak, Women's Basketball
Taylor Tarver, Women's Basketball
Megan Moody, Women's Basketball
Emily Collins, Women's Basketball
Noah Smith, Men's Track & Field
Keondre Schumacher, Men's Track & Field
Michael Gryl, Men's Track & Field
Seth Albin, Men's Track & Field
Brady McMasters, Men's Track & Field
Zach Orpilla, Men's Track & Field
Josh Tong, Men's Track & Field
Nicolas Lidinsky, Men's Track & Field
Cole Paraday, Men's Track & Field
JD Barrett, Men's Track & Field
Avery Smith, Women's Track & Field
Kayleigh Hall, Women's Track & Field
Lexi Dorsey, Women's Track & Field
Addison Bendery, Women's Track & Field
Kinlee Miller, Women's Track & Field
Jules Grunloh, Women's Track & Field
Tori Burke, Women's Track & Field
Tia Hardt, Women's Track & Field
Rebekah Harden, Women's Track & Field
Sam Churchey, Women's Track & Field
Lexi Ward, Women's Track & Field
Lauren Wong, Women's Track & Field
Emma Helferich, Women's Track & Field
Peyton Pollman, Women's Track & Field
Anna Sheaffer, Women's Track & Field
Jenna Mirande, Women's Track & Field
Katie Vogler, Women's Track & Field
Nicole Walsh, Women's Track & Field
Nora Robinson, Women's Track & Field
Jorri Sandage, Women's Track & Field