WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Jamie Grindrod, a defensive cornerstone of the Whitman College women's soccer team for the past four years, has earned first-team All-Northwest Conference (NWC ) honors for the 1999 fall season.
Two other Whitman players earned spots on the all-conference teams. Christina Anderson, a sophomore midfielder, was named to the second team, while junior midfielder Corinne Schuler received honorable mention recognition for the second consecutive season.
Grindrod, a 1996 graduate of North Kitsap High School in Poulsbo, Wash., is "probably the most talented player I have coached," Whitman coach Scott Shields said. "Jamie is talented enough she could have played Division I soccer."
In addition to her duties on defense, Grindrod tied for the Whitman team scoring lead with 10 points on four goals and two assists. "As far as I can tell, that is probably the most points ever scored by a defender in the history of Whitman women's soccer," Shields said.
In a recent vote of Whitman players, Grindrod received two team awards -- Most Valuable Player and Best Defensive Player -- for the second time in three seasons. This was her third consecutive Best Defensive Player award.
Grindrod, who earned second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore, has been a "leader on and off the field," Shields said. "She was our field general during games, and the opposing teams always worried whenever she had the ball." Grindrod, a politics major at Whitman, is the daughter of Marilyn and Mark Grindrod of Poulsbo, Wash.
Anderson, a 1998 graduate of Sehome High School in Bellingham, Wash., sparked Whitman's offense with a team-leading five goals. "I am so happy for Christina," Shields said. "She is a very talented player who had a great season. She came up big for us several times."
Anderson, who received this year's team award as Best Offensive Player, was used on defense last year as a freshman. "It really paid off when we moved Christina to a more natural position this season," Shields added. "She's only a sophomore, and I look forward to seeing where she can go from here." Anderson is the daughter of Laurie and David Anderson of Bellingham, Wash.
Schuler, a 1997 graduate of Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights, Calif., once again impressed coaches around the league with her creative and aggressive style of play Shields said. "She is the most aggressive tackler on the team, and she also produced a couple of key assists for us during the season. Her aggressive attitude on the field really helped to spark us when we needed it."
Schuler, the daughter of Mary and James Schuler of Hacienda Heights, Calif., is an English major at Whitman.
Four other Whitman team awards also were given this year:
** Most Inspirational and Best Team Player Awards - Chrissy Vaughn, a forward and senior co-captain. Vaughn had received the Best Offensive Player awards as a junior and sophomore. An English major and 1996 graduate of Redmond, Wash., High School, Vaughn is the daughter of Marilyn and William Vaughn of Redmond.
** Coach's Award -- Jenny Russell, a senior midfielder. Russell had received the team's Most Valuable Player award as a junior. A chemistry major and a 1996 graduate of Tigard, Ore., High School, Russell is the daughter of Jeannette and Donald Russell of Tigard.
** Most Improved Award - Alison Jones, a junior forward. A 1997 graduate of Westridge School in Pasadena, Calif., Jones is a politics and environmental studies major at Whitman. She is the daughter of Marlene and Rick Jones of South Pasadena, Calif.
Dave Holden, Whitman Sports Information, (509) 527-5902
Email: holden@whitman.edu