Western Herald staff picks: All-WMU team

The All-WMU team is comprised of 10 Bronco student athletes: five men, five women. The nominees were selected by the Western Herald sports staff.

Patrick Galivan, senior right wing, hockey — This former walk-on blossomed this season and climbed his way up the Central Collegiate Hockey Association scoring chart in winning the scoring crown.  More importantly, as a senior he led the Bronco hockey squad with his stellar play and helped the development of several young players such as line mates sophomore Max Campbell and freshman Greg Squires.  The right wing scored in key spots throughout the season and had two assists in the Broncos’ 3-1 victory over Lake Superior State University to give the squad its first home ice playoff series win. Galivan, although consistent throughout the season, peaked at the end of the year, ultimately propelling the Broncos to a home ice playoff series.  Galivan ended the season on a 12-game scoring streak and earned Second Team All-CCHA honors at the conclusion of the season.  He led WMU in goals (19), assists (28) and points (47) in 2008-09.

—Adam Bouton

Hockey beat reporter
Tim Hiller, junior quarterback, football — There are several reasons that Hiller made this list, but above all else was the junior’s steadfast loyalty and dedication to his team.  Hiller suffered a significant knee injury while playing against the University of Illinois, but unselfishly played the last three games of the season.  Even though he could have jeopardized his career in the process, he hid his injured knee from nearly everyone and led the Broncos to the Texas Bowl, setting several WMU passing records in the process.  Hiller established new Bronco records with 522 attempts, 339 completions, 3,725 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2008.  Hiller, who is already working on his masters degree, is constantly recognized for the things he does off the field as well, such as his community involvement and academic record.  He was recently named 2009 Male Michigan College Athlete of the Year.
—Adam Bouton
Football beat reporter

Jamarko Simmons, senior wide receiver, football — Simmons put himself in good company with friend and former Bronco great Greg Jennings with his stellar season in 2008.  Simmons shook off a slow start to the 2008 season to finish with one of the best seasons ever by a Bronco receiver.  The senior came up big in important games this season including an 11-catch, 174-yard effort against the University of Illinois in one of the biggest wins the Bronco football program has ever had. After just three catches against the University of Nebraska in the season opener, Simmons showed he was a staple of consistency as he had at least six receptions and 67 yards in every single game the rest of the season. Simmons and Hiller had a close rapport and Hiller would often look to Simmons when the team needed a first down or a big catch downfield. Simmons finished his senior year eclipsing Jennings’ school records in career receptions and receptions in a season. He is the only WMU player to ever receive over 100 balls in one season (104).
—Adam Bouton
Football beat reporter

Michael Calderone, sophomore, men’s tennis — Ever since stepping on WMU’s campus, Michael Calderone has made an impact on the men’s tennis team. The sophomore picked up WMU Rookie of the Year honors in 2007-08 after posting at least 20 wins in both singles and doubles. He earned MAC Player of the Week once and was also selected to the All-MAC Tournament team. This season has been no different, as Calderone has picked up MAC Player of the Week twice this season. He holds a 28-11 single record to this point for the 15-8 Broncos, leading the team to another MAC regular season title.
—Mike Feld
Sports Editor

Chris Lewis, junior ourfielder, baseball — Junior Chris Lewis should not be restricted to just the All-WMU team; he should also make the All-MAC team as well. From the end of last season and into this season, Lewis carried a 25-game hitting streak. While his streak is over now, he still leads the Broncos in most of the major batting categories. The captain is hitting .52 points higher than the next closest player, with a .356 batting average. On top of  the average, he has 12 more hits than any other player as well as leads the team in doubles, triples, total bases, slugging percentage and has the fewest strikeouts of any starters and most players with eight. He is the only Bronco to play in all 30 games this season and leads the team in at-bats, making the limited amount of strikeouts even more impressive. A leader on the field and off, Lewis brings a swagger and attitude to a team that is searching for its own demeanor and looking for its identity.
—Scott Sierzenga
Baseball beat reporter

Kerstin Pahl, senior, women’s tennis—Kerstin Pahl’s masterful career is full of various accolades from MAC Freshman of the Year to First Team All-MAC to MAC Player of the Year. But this year, Pahl made history when she became the career wins leader in women’s tennis at WMU. Her 227 total victories are good enough for second place in MAC tennis history and is only five off the top overall mark. Not only does she hold the record for overall victories, but she holds the record for both career singles victories and career doubles victories at WMU. This year, Pahl has compiled an impressive record of 31-6, which includes a singles record of 19-5, all at No. 1 singles.  Kerstin has also accumulated a doubles record of 16-0 with Amanda Moccia, earning the duo appearances in the national rankings throughout the season.
—Justin Sucher
Women’s tennis beat writer

Danielle Brown, senior, women’s track and field—Danielle Brown earned the All-WMU team selection because of the senior leadership she brought to the Western Michigan University women’s track and field team. The Kalamazoo native has had a strong senior season after being named Mid-American Conference Track Athlete of the Week twice. She is currently ranked fifth in the nation in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 58.38 and qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the 100- meter hurdles and the 4 x 400-meter relay team as well.
—Roger Sievers
Track beat reporter

Meredith Whitney, freshman pitcher, softball—Although she has yet to complete a full season on the WMU softball team, Meredith Whitney has been nothing short of spectacular in her rookie season. The freshman pitcher has started 18 games, completing 14 of them. She carries an 11-7 record (six shutouts) with a 2.22 ERA and 129 strikeouts. Opposing hitters have only been able to muster up a .202 batting average against her. As if her hurling ability wasn’t impressive enough, she’s delivered at the plate as well. Whitney is hitting .319 with three home runs in 32 appearances this season.
—Mike Feld
Sports editor

Jillian Mitchell, junior setter, volleyball—Junior Jillian Mitchell is not only one of the top setters in the Mid-American Conference, but in the nation. Mitchell led the Broncos to a MAC regular season championship and a berth in the Sweet 16. Mitchell averaged 11.40 assists per set in 2008, which led the MAC and was 15th in the country. Mitchell’s 1,470 assists in 2008 were the second most all-time in a season for a Bronco. Mitchell was named MAC West Player of the Week twice on Sept. 8 and Nov. 17, won the Kalamazoo Gazette Most Valuable Player Award, MAC Setter of the Year and was named All-MAC first team. Mitchell was also recognized on the national level, being named honorable mention the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Mideast Region team and honorable mention for CVU.com Stellar Spiker.
—Mark Rudi
Volleyball beat reporter

Michelle Moore, junior outside hitter, volleyball—Junior Michelle Moore is one of the most feared outside hitters in the Mid-American Conference. In 2008, Moore averaged 3.89 kills per set, which was third in the MAC and 45th in the nation. Moore notched her 1,000th career kill on Sept. 6 in a 3-0 win over Western Carolina University. At that time, Moore was only the 16th Bronco to achieve that feat. Moore recorded 502 kills in 2008, giving her 1,456 for her career, which broke Kim Lee’s record of 1,451 kills from 1989-92. Moore broke the record in WMU’s 3-0 loss to Penn State University in the Sweet 16 Dec. 12.
—Mark Rudi
Volleyball beat reporter

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Apr 20 2009. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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