June 24, 2002

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Utah seniors Teren Jameson and Shannon Bowles were selected as the 2002 Mountain West Conference Male and Female Student-Athletes of the Year, respectively, and will be awarded a postgraduate scholarship in recognition of their achievements.

Established by the Mountain West Conference Joint Council in 1999, the Student-Athlete of the Year award is the highest honor presented to a student-athlete by the conference. The award is bestowed annually to the man and woman who best exemplify the term "student-athlete" by achieving excellence in academics, community involvement and athletics. Criteria for the Student-Athlete of the Year award requires that nominees demonstrate leadership, character and conduct on and off the playing field. In addition to superior athletic achievement, candidates must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average and be in their final year of eligibility in any NCAA-recognized sport.

Teren Jameson was selected as the 2002 MWC Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

Jameson, an electrical engineering major from Taylorsville, Utah, was a four-year letterwinner for the Utes' cross country and track and field teams. Also a team captain in both sports, Jameson was a two-time All-American (2000, 2001) in cross country and earned MWC Cross Country Runner of the Year honors in 2001. In addition to his cross country conference title last fall, the eight-time All-MWC performer captured conference championships in three individual events (mile, 5,000m, 3,000m) and set three conference records (10,000m, 5,000m, 3,000m) as a member of the track and field team. Jameson proved just as successful in his academic endeavors, posting a 3.978 GPA, while earning Dean's List honors every term at Utah. A three-time Academic All-American, Jameson was named the 2002 Verizon Academic All-American Division I Team Member of the Year. He was recently awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and the Dr. Burtis Evans Award for academic achievement. Jameson garnered distinction as the University of Utah's Outstanding Electrical Engineering Student, served as Vice President for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was recognized with the President's Award.

Bowles, a dual-major in psychology and exercise and sports science from Lee, N. H., was a nine-time All-American for the Utah gymnastics team, one of the nation's top programs. After suffering a broken neck prior to the 2000 season, she made an inspiring comeback to All-America status. Not only did Bowles lead the Utes to a top 10 finish nationally each of her four years with the program, she amassed a lengthy list of honors for her academic achievements and community service, while posting a 3.83 GPA. A four-time NACGC Academic All-American, she was named to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America Women's At-Large first-team and has been nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Bowles earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and was awarded Utah's Bud Jack Award, which goes to the graduating female student-athlete with the highest GPA. A National Honor Society member, Bowles also volunteered for several organizations in Salt Lake City, including the Tenth East Senior Center, the 2001 Walk for Diabetes and the University of Utah Psychology Department. Bowles also served as a motivational speaker at elementary schools and became an alternate speaker at the 2002 Utah Commencement Ceremonies.