GNAC Sports

UAF's Often, Central's Holtman Earn Sportsmanship Awards


Often	Holtman

Skier Einar Often of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and softball player Mallory Holtman of Central Washington University have been selected the winners of the fifth annual Great Northwest Athletic Conference NCAA Sportsmanship award.

The two are now finalists for the 2008 NCAA Division II National Sportsmanship award, which honors one male and one female athlete from each of the three NCAA divisions who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Those awards will be announced in late August. (Previous Nominees)

Often, from Tynset, Norway, sacrificed his opportunity to qualify for the NCAA National Skiing championships last winter when he gave his pole to teammate Ray Sabo after Sabo broke his pole during the opening kilometer of the 10K Classic race at the NCAA Central Regionals at Biwabik, Minn.

Sabo came into the race just one-tenth of a point away from a berth in the national championships. With Einar's pole, he went on to have one of the best races of his collegiate career, finishing eighth to earn a berth in the NCAA Nationals.

Often was a “bubble” skier himself and his act of sportsmanship effectively ended his hopes to qualify for the NCAAs. After eventually getting a pole from another coach, he went on to finish 23rd in the race.

Even though he didn't qualify, Often paid his own airfare to the NCAAs in Bozeman, Mont., volunteering to serve as a student-assistant during the championship week – waxing skis and providing support to his teammates on the race course.

In addition to his sportsmanship on the course, Often has also made an effort to give back to his community. He took part in a number of service events, including participating in a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Community Day; a meet-and-greet between local school children and UAF student-athletes.

He also worked as a volunteer coach with the Nordic Ski Club in Fairbanks, helping to teach cross country skiing to local children. He also volunteered his time to help clean and maintain the skiing facilities at the Birch Hill trails in Fairbanks as well as serving as a steward at the annual Equinox Marathon in Fairbanks.

Holtman, from White Salmon, Wash., was involved in the well-chronicled softball game last April in which she and her CWU teammate Liz Wallace carried WOU's Sara Tucholsky around the bases to complete her home run trot after Tucholsky went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rounding first base.

Western Oregon won the game 4-2 ending Central Washington's post-season hopes. WOU went on to win the GNAC title and eventually reached the NCAA West Regional championship game before losing to eventually national champion Humboldt State.

That act of sportsmanship earned an ESPY last week in the “Best Moment” category.

Holtman, who later was voted the GNAC Player-of-the-Year and is the only player to earn first team all-conference honors four times in GNAC softball history, has been a true team leader on-and-off the field.

Over the course of her five years at CWU, she has compiled a 3.31 grade point average as a business administration major. She was also a selfless leader as team captain, which was best exemplified last fall when she gave up employment in the Office of Athletic Media Relations so that one of her teammates could have employment and continue to participate in softball. Mallory has also assisted in coaching youth softball teams in the Ellensburg community.

“Mallory has always put others ahead of herself, be it as a student-athlete on the field or off it,” Jonathan Gordon, CWU Director of Media Relations, said. “She has been an influential part of the CWU athletic department and within the Ellensburg community, always striving to make those around her better at whatever they do.”