2005-06 FERRIS STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AWARDS PRESENTED

Junior Guards Erin Miller & Kristin Reinhart Named Co-MVP Award Winners

Award Winners

Ferris State's Erin Miller (top) and Kristin Reinhart (middle) were chosen as the squad's Most Valuable Player Award recipients for the 2005-06 campaign. Assistant Coach Justin Rees (bottom) claimed the Hardest Worker Award

A team captain, Miller ranked as FSU's leading scorer (14.7 ppg) this season. She was listed among the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (GLIAC) overall statistical leaders in nine different categories and compiled 19 double-figure scoring outings this campaign. This season (Dec. 8), Miller became the 12th player in school history to register her 1,000th career point. She currently ranks seventh on FSU's all-time scoring list with 1,279 career points. Miller received GLIAC Player of the Week Award laurels once (Dec. 5) this year, was recognized as a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV honoree, picked up GLIAC North Division First-Team recognition along with Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region Second-Team honors.

Miller returned this season after missing all but the first two games of the 2004-05 campaign due to injury. She previously reached double-figure scoring in 28 of her 31 contests in 2003-04 and ranked as the Bulldogs' second-leading scorer (17.0 ppg). Miller was the recipient of the GLIAC’s 2002-03 Freshman of the Year Award after being the team’s third-highest scorer (12.5 ppg) in her initial season.

The 2003-04 Verizon Academic All-District IV Third Team and GLIAC All-Academic Team honoree also attained GLIAC North Division Player of the Week accolades twice (Jan. 5 & Feb. 9) in 2003-04. She earned first-team Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Great Lakes Region and All-GLIAC North Division honors along with being among 40 finalists for the NCAA Division II Kodak/WBCA All-America Team during the 2003-04 campaign.

Reinhart, who was named FSU's 2003-04 Rookie of the Year Award winner, received second-team All-GLIAC North Division kudos for the Bulldogs for the second consecutive season this year. This season, Reinhart ranked as the squad's second-leading scorer (12.9 ppg) and compiled a team-best 142 assists which was the third-highest seasonal output in school history. She also added 122 rebounds, 52 steals and 34 made three-point field goals while starting all 28 contests.

The 5-5 Reinhart claimed the GLIAC North Division Player of the Week honor on Jan. 23, which marked the second time in her career she had earned the award. She previously netted 308 points in 20 outings during the 2004-05 campaign en route to being selected as Ferris' co-Most Valuable Player Award receipient as a sophomore despite missing the final eight games due to injury. Reinhart also was this year's recipient of the team's Defensive MVP Award.

The squad's Most Improved Player Award was presented to junior forward Audrey Thwing (Davison). She placed fourth among the squad's scoring leaders (11.4 ppg) and grabbed a team-best 6.8 rebounds per contest this campaign. The 5-11 Thwing earned GLIAC North Division Player of the Week Award accolades once (Jan. 16) this year. She totaled 17 double-figure scoring efforts along with six double-double (points & rebounds) outings this season. Thwing played in 26 contests during the 2004-05 campaign and averaged 2.7 points along with 2.0 rebounds per outing after seeing action in four contests as a freshman in 2003-04.

Sophomore guard Sam Johns (Allendale) claimed the team's Sixth Player Award. The 5-9 Johns, who appeared in all 28 contests, tallied seven points per game. Her 26 steals ranked tied for third place among the squad's leaders while her 35 made three-point field goals represented FSU's second-highest mark this campaign. Johns previously compiled 5.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 26 contests as a freshman in 2004-05.

Freshman forward/center Jenna Guay (Escanaba) garnered team Rookie of the Year Award recognition after appearing in all 24 games and making three starts in 2005-06. She netted 90 points 73 rebounds in 273 minutes of action. The 6-1 Guay, who was one of six Ferris freshmen to see action this year, posted an FSU second-place tying 10 blocked shots in her initial season. She scored a personal career-high 10 points in four different games this campaign.

Finally, fourth-year assistant coach Justin Rees received the team's Hardest Worker Award. A four-year (1993-97) men's basketball letterwinner at Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., Rees previously served as an assistant coach for three seasons at NCAA Division II Post in Waterbury, Conn. He assists with virtually all of the program's aspects including administrative, coaching and recruiting responsibilities.

The squad's lone senior, forward Kelly McLaughlin (Clare), also received special recognition for her role as a team captain. A four-year letterwinner, McLaughlin totaled 95 points and 65 rebounds while making 28 starts in her final campaign.

Ferris State wrapped up its 2005-06 season with an 18-10 overall record and made its seventh consecutive GLIAC Tournament appearance this campaign. FSU, which posted a third-place tying 12-6 mark in GLIAC North Division play this season, also registered its 10th consecutive season with 10 or more victories this campaign under eighth-year head coach Tracey Bloodworth-Fisk.

Zonta International is a worldwide service organization of business and professional executives dedicated to advancing the status of women worldwide. The Big Rapids area club supports many international, district and local projects which seek to improve the status of women. FSU's Sixth Dawg Booster Club supports the women's basketball program in numerous ways along with offering financial support. Membership information is available on the FSU Athletics Website at www.ferris.edu/sports.