May 22, 2007

CLEVELAND - Placing a league-high seven student-athletes on the All-Mid-American Conference Academic Team, the Miami University men's track and field team represented more than a third of the honorees announced by the conference office today. The 20-member team includes Miami seniors Tom Herrmann (high jump) and Rob Prechtl (javelin), juniors Dan Beach (throws) and Michael Veatch (distance), and sophomores Alex Boiwka (pole vault), Kevin Silver (distance) and Pat Sovacool (distance).

Of Miami's seven honorees, three are regional qualifiers who scored at the conference meet. Herrmann, who is one of the MAC's four regional high jump qualifiers, placed sixth at the MAC meet in the high jump, marking his fourth straight season as a MAC scorer. Veatch (steeplechase) and Sovacool (1,500 meters), who are Miami's two additional regional qualifiers, also scored at the conference meet by finishing third in their respective events. Veatch also scored in the 5,000 meters with a seventh-place finish.

Beach was the only RedHawk named to the all-MAC academic team for the second straight season, while the six additional Miami honorees earned the conference's academic recognition for the first time in their careers. Boiwka had the highest grade-point average of any Miamian named to the all-MAC academic team with a 3.87 GPA in zoology.

Miami has placed at least five athletes on the all-MAC academic team for two straight seasons. The league-high seven honorees also mark the second straight season Miami has led the conference in the number of student-athletes named to the all-MAC academic team.

The all-MAC academic team is voted on by the faculty athletic representatives at the conference schools, and the honor is designated for student-athletes who excel in both athletics and academics. To qualify for the award, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's contests. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible.

Dan Beach (Arlington, Ohio) - 3.50 GPA, Finance: Posted career-best toss of 181-1 in the hammer throw at Stan Lyons Invitational, which ranks as the eighth-furthest throw in program history.

Alex Boiwka (Amherst, Ohio) - 3.87 GPA, Zoology: Registered season-best clearance of 14-9 at the Wake Forest Open ... his clearance in the second highest for a Miamian this season and ranks 11th in the MAC.

Tom Herrmann (Upper Arlington, Ohio) - 3.26 GPA, Political Science: Regional qualifier in the high jump ... named MAC Field Athlete of the Week on April 6 ... cleared career-best height of 6-10 3/4 at the Wake Forest Open ... scored at MAC meet with sixth-place finish in high jump.

Rob Prechtl (Fredonia, N.Y.) - 3.48 GPA, Exercise and Health Studies: Registered career-best javelin toss of 194-3 at the Wake Forest Open ... his toss is the furthest by a Miamian during 2007 season and ranks as the fifth-best throw in Miami history.

Kevin Silver (Beachwood, Ohio) - 3.73 GPA, Business: Turned in career-best times in the 1,500 meters (3:54.81), 3,000 meters (8:33.38) and 5,000 meters (15:10.52) during the regular season.

Pat Sovacool (Lakewood, Ohio) - 3.50 GPA, Zoology: Regional qualifier in the 1,500 meters ... named the MAC Track Athlete of the Week on April 18 ... won the 5,000 meters at the All-Ohio and the 1,500 meters at the Miami Invitational ... placed third in the 1,500 meters at the MAC Championships.

Michael Veatch (Middletown, Ohio) - 3.37 GPA, Physical Education: Regional qualifier in the 3,000-meter steeplechase ... clocked in with career-best and third-place steeplechase time (8:58.45) at the MAC Championships ... his steeplechase time ranks fifth in program history.

2007 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Academic All-MAC Team
Randall Hafner (Akron)
Weston Lott (Akron)
Andy Leonard (Buffalo)
Jake Madonia (Buffalo)
Paul Riley (Buffalo)
Sean Anthony (Central Michigan)
Bill Peterson (Central Michigan)
Donnie Richmond (Central Michigan)
Corey Nowitzke (Eastern Michigan)
Chris Caine (Kent State)
Phil Rickaby (Kent State)
Dan Beach (Miami)
Alex Boiwka (Miami)
Tom Herrmann (Miami)
Rob Prechtl (Miami)
Kevin Silver (Miami)
Pat Sovacool (Miami)
Michael Veatch (Miami)
Dan Bailey (Ohio)
Brian King (Ohio)