Thomsen and Pohl Earn Academic Honors
7/18/2024 3:06:00 PM | General, Student Services
Montana State volleyball standout Kira Thomsen and two-time outdoor track and field gold medalist Janis Pohl were named Big Sky Conference Scholar Athletes by the league office.
Montana State volleyball standout Kira Thomsen and two-time outdoor track and field gold medalist Janis Pohl were named Big Sky Conference Scholar Athletes by the league office.
Each Big Sky member institution nominated a male and female student athlete that found success on the playing field and in the classroom during the 2023-24 season. To be eligible for this award, the student-athlete must have exhausted his or her intercollegiate athletic eligibility and/or be a member of the graduating class, earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0) scale, been a participant in a Big Sky-sponsored sport, completed at least two (2) years of intercollegiate competition at the institution, and been a letterwinner.
"Honoring our scholar athletes is special every year because they truly exemplify what it means to compete on the collegiate level," Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. "Seeing the fields these student-athletes have received degrees in fills me with a sense of pride. Congratulations to our 22 scholar athletes and thank you for your commitment to the Big Sky Conference."
Thomsen had an outstanding career in the Blue and Gold which culminated in being named Volleyballmag.com Honorable Mention All-America as presented by the Professional volleyball Federation. This past season, the 5-10 outside hitter from Parker, Colo., was a unanimous First Team All-Big Sky selection after leading the league in kills and points. She spearheaded MSU's late season run which ended in a National Invitational Volleyball Championships Fab Four appearance- the farthest any Big Sky team has advanced in postseason play. For her efforts, she was named All-NIVC Tournament team.
Thomsen rewrote the Bobcat record book during her time in Bozeman and finished No. 1 in kills (1,688) and total attacks (4,827), and in the top 10 in digs (1,215) and aces. (158). She also ranks in the top five in Big Sky Conference history in kills and attacks. She graduated with a 3.50 GPA in business marketing.
Pohl, a native of Frankfurt, Germany, who battled injuries throughout his career as a member of the Bobcat track and field squad, made the most of his senior campaign. Competing in his first-ever Big Sky championship event, he won the league title in the 400-meter hurdles running an altitude-converted time of 51.32 to blow away the field for the gold medal.
In addition, Pohl played a pivotal role as MSU captured its first Big Sky title since 2005. Along with teammates Michael Swan, Stryder Todd-Fields, and Jett Grundy, the foursome shattered the school's 4x400 meter relay record in 3:08.42 winning the final event of the outdoor championship and putting the Bobcats on top of the podium.
Pohl graduated with a 3.99 GPA in psychology.
Each Big Sky member institution nominated a male and female student athlete that found success on the playing field and in the classroom during the 2023-24 season. To be eligible for this award, the student-athlete must have exhausted his or her intercollegiate athletic eligibility and/or be a member of the graduating class, earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0) scale, been a participant in a Big Sky-sponsored sport, completed at least two (2) years of intercollegiate competition at the institution, and been a letterwinner.
"Honoring our scholar athletes is special every year because they truly exemplify what it means to compete on the collegiate level," Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. "Seeing the fields these student-athletes have received degrees in fills me with a sense of pride. Congratulations to our 22 scholar athletes and thank you for your commitment to the Big Sky Conference."
Thomsen had an outstanding career in the Blue and Gold which culminated in being named Volleyballmag.com Honorable Mention All-America as presented by the Professional volleyball Federation. This past season, the 5-10 outside hitter from Parker, Colo., was a unanimous First Team All-Big Sky selection after leading the league in kills and points. She spearheaded MSU's late season run which ended in a National Invitational Volleyball Championships Fab Four appearance- the farthest any Big Sky team has advanced in postseason play. For her efforts, she was named All-NIVC Tournament team.
Thomsen rewrote the Bobcat record book during her time in Bozeman and finished No. 1 in kills (1,688) and total attacks (4,827), and in the top 10 in digs (1,215) and aces. (158). She also ranks in the top five in Big Sky Conference history in kills and attacks. She graduated with a 3.50 GPA in business marketing.
Pohl, a native of Frankfurt, Germany, who battled injuries throughout his career as a member of the Bobcat track and field squad, made the most of his senior campaign. Competing in his first-ever Big Sky championship event, he won the league title in the 400-meter hurdles running an altitude-converted time of 51.32 to blow away the field for the gold medal.
In addition, Pohl played a pivotal role as MSU captured its first Big Sky title since 2005. Along with teammates Michael Swan, Stryder Todd-Fields, and Jett Grundy, the foursome shattered the school's 4x400 meter relay record in 3:08.42 winning the final event of the outdoor championship and putting the Bobcats on top of the podium.
Pohl graduated with a 3.99 GPA in psychology.
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