June 8, 2009
PRINCIPIA'S RICHARDS, WESTMINSTER'S WARNCKE RECEIVE SLIAC POST GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP

ST. LOUIS – 2009 Graduates Rachael Richards (Bellevue, Idaho/Wood River) of Principia College and Jason Warncke (St. Peters, Mo./Francis Howell Central) of Westminster College have been awarded the 2008-09 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Post Graduate Scholarships.

The scholarships, selected by the Conference’s Faculty Athletics Representatives (FAR) based on the graduating student-athletes accomplishments in and out of the classroom, awards the recipients a financial stipend towards their first two years of graduate study.

Richards graduated from Principia this past weekend with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Political Science and a 3.75 cumulative grade point average.  She plans to attend law school and has an interest in international law, immigration law and environmental law. Richards played four years for the Panthers volleyball team and also competed four years as a member of the indoor and outdoor track and field squads. She was a three-time All-SLIAC honoree, including First Team honors in 2008. Richards, a two-year team captain, finished her career as the all-time record holder in Assists, Service Aces and Assists per Game at Principia.

Warncke graduated from Westminster in May with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biochemistry and with a 4.0 GPA.  His graduate plans include attending medical school.  A four-year member of the Blue Jays men’s basketball team, Warncke was a two-time All-Conference performer, and a 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team selection.  He also helped the 2008-09 Westminster squad capture a share of their first regular season SLIAC crown.

Previous SLIAC Post Graduate Scholarship Award Winners

2002-03                Joni Dorf, Greenville; Kevin Bartow, Maryville
2003-04                Maureen Walterbach, Maryville; Brady Barke, Webster
2004-05                Christine Basden, Maryville; Stephen Hoell, Westminster
2005-06                Maria Eftink, Fontbonne; Greg Murphy, Webster
2006-07                Vanda Wilder, Maryville; Ryan Duncan, Maryville
2007-08                Michelle Reale, Fontbonne; Tyler Tate, Maryville