October 25, 2004

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that Central College volleyball player Jamie Stark (Center Point, Iowa/Center Point-Urbana) and Simpson College football player Jason Ripke (Newell, Iowa/Newell-Fonda) have been named IIAC Female and Male Athletes of the Week for the period ending Sunday, October 24.

Stark, a senior middle hitter, hit .408, averaged 4.0 kills and 1.69 digs per game to lead Central to a 5-0 week, including three victories over nationally ranked teams at the Wisconsin-Whitewater Invitational. Stark set a school record with an .846 hitting percentage in a 3-1 win over #15-Wisconsin-River Falls. Her hitting percentage is the fourth-highest single-match percentage in Division III history (min. 20 attempts). In that contest, she had 22 kills on 26 attempts, seven digs and three blocks. She posted a double-double in a 3-1 victory over #10-Wisconsin-Whitewater with 14 kills and 13 digs. Stark also had 14 kills to go along with six digs and four service aces in a 3-1 win over #23-Elmhurst. In a 3-0 Conference win over Dubuque, she had 10 kills and hit .364.

Ripke, a junior defensive lineman, anchored the Storm’s defense that handed Buena Vista its first Conference loss of the season. Ripke had seven tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks, tying the school record for sacks in a game

The IIAC also announced on Monday the Performer of the Week in four Conference sports in competition. Stark and Ripke earned the weekly honor in their respective sport, while the following individuals were recognized for the athletic performances.

Women’s Soccer: Luther College senior forward Katie Pettigrew (Farminton, N.M./Farminton) had a hand in all eight of the Norse’s goals in two matches during the week, scoring four and assisting on four. In a 3-2 victory over Dubuque, she scored two goals and had an assist. In a 5-0 victory over Coe she scored twice including the game-winner and added three assists. Both of Pettigrew’s goals in the Coe match came on penalty kicks.

Men’s Soccer: Buena Vista University junior goaltender Daniel Padilla (Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista) went 1-0-1 with a 0.45 goals against average in two games during the week. He led the Beavers to their first-ever victory over Simpson making two saves in the 2-1 win. He also recorded his second shutout of the season in a 0-0 double-overtime tie with Nebraska Wesleyan, making five saves in the match.

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