When an athlete’s hard work earns them national recognition, it is gratifying to the individual, as well as the team.’
That is the feeling on the Ottawa University women’s soccer team for two players.
Amanda Just and Elizabeth Wilkens earned NAIA All-American honorable mention honors and were both named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Southwest Region Team.
Wilkens, a junior from Davenport, Iowa, earned the school’s first NSCAA NAIA All-American honor with her third-team selection. She is a three time All-KCAC selection earning first team All-KCAC as a junior and sophomore. Wilkens also was named KCAC Defensive Player of the Year.
‘I wasn’t really planning on winning the award, I mean I had individual goals, but wasn’t really expecting it, pretty exciting though,’ Wilkens said. ‘I didn’t know it was such a big deal but what it meant to me was for me to work harder.’
Wilkens felt that she didn’t earn the award alone.
‘I feel that these awards come from teammates and my coach who push me everyday. Winning this award made me realize why I am captain.’
Amanda Just, a sophomore from Andover, has played in all 21 games this season, starting 17. She earned her second straight first team All-KCAC selection and became the program’s first back-to-back NAIA All-American. Just was named to the NSCAA All-South-West Region Team also.
‘It’s always’ a good thing to get an honor in such a competitive conference,’ Just said. ‘But I also feel that the trip to nationals was a much bigger accomplishment for me.’
Under head coach Craig Shaw’s leadership in 2009, the Lady Braves went 16-5-0 overall and captured their first KCAC regular season championship since 2005.
He led OU to its first NAIA National Tournament appearance in school history. Shaw coached eight All-KCAC performers including his third straight KCAC Freshman of the Year.
Because of his efforts, Shaw earned KCAC Coach of the Year.’ He says is very proud of his current All-American girls.
‘Both are captains, very good students in class and champions of character,’ Shaw said.
Shaw said he was impressed with the improvement he saw in the Lady Braves.
‘Overall the team has gotten better from last year.’