Bonus coverage for Joy Krupa

Claremont Wolfpack Jr. All American standout Joy Krupa was featured in this past Wednesday's issue of the COURIER. The 11-year-old girl led her team in tackles, interceptions and receptions during the 2010 and was one of the main reasons why the Jr. Pee Wee Division team was the only one to represent Claremont this postseason.

In order to read the story, pick up Wednesday's edition of the COURIER or log-in to the COURIER website. But for a bit of bonus coverage, click on the YouTube video below for a sample of what Joy is capable of on the field.

Congratulations to Joy and her success in her very first season in the San Gabriel Valley Jr. All American Football League and many thanks to her family for their hospitality.

Lydens named 'best in the west' by NCAA

Photo courtesy of Pomona-Pitzer Athletics

For Pomona-Pitzer sophomore Anne Lydens, finishing in 9th place at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships has its perks.

As a result of her strong performance last month and throughout the season, Lydens was recently selected by the NCAA as the top runner in the Division III's West Region. Along with the distinction, she became just the 3rd Pomona-Pitzer female athlete to earn All-American honors.

Lydens finished in first place during the NCAA Division III Cross Country West Regional in order to be the west region's top representative at the national championships. She also won the SCIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year Award for placing first in the SCIAC Multi-Dual meets and recording 2nd at the SCIAC Championships.

Congratulations to Lydens for all of her accomplishments this season.

C-M-S sweeps SCIAC 'Athlete of the Week' Awards

Photo courtesy of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athletics

According to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, there were no 2 athletes better than Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' Tain Lee and Frannie Hemmelgarn during the week of November 22nd through 28th.

Lee continued his success on the golf greens that week as he finished in a tie for second place at the All-American Golf Classic in El Paso, Texas. His opponents included the other 31 top collegiate golf players in the country. The only NCAA Division III representative recorded a score of 204 (-9).

By averaging 17 points and 11.5 rebounds, Hemmelgarn led the Athenas to victory over UC Santa Cruz and Carleton College during the David Wells Classic held one day after Thanksgiving. The numbers were up from her season averages of 15.5 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per contest.

Congratulations to both C-M-S athletes.

Lowell impresses in first season at Seattle Pacific

Photo courtesy of Seattle Pacific University

Claremont High School 2009 graduate Nikki Lowell made a huge splash on the volleyball court at Seattle Pacific University this season as the middle blocker became an All-American and helped lead the team to one of its best seasons in school history.

“I’m shocked. It’s an honor and I didn’t expect it,” Lowell said in a released statement. “I just went with the flow and just played volleyball.”

Along with her “All-American” distinction, the red-shirt freshman was also named the All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s (GNAC) Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All GNAC Conference's First Team. Her .382 hitting percentage was the highest in school history and ranked her first among all players in the Northwest Athletic Conference and 13th in Division II of the NCAA.

Congratulations to Lowell for her success on the court. Check Saturday's COURIER for a fuller story on her and check below for YouTube clips on the freshman sensation.