Jan. 4, 2005

WOODLAND, Calif. - Nine Pioneer soccer players have been named Academic All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Scholar Athletes for the 2004 men's soccer season. Seniors Christian Atencio (Richland, Wash.), Christian Bowers (Holladay, Utah), Alejandro Diaz (Caracas, Venezuela) and Mark Wellen (Littleton, Colo.), juniors Thomas Flynn (Broomfield, Colo.), Liam Girard (Victoria, B.C.) and Zack Kobilca (Aurora, Colo.) and sophomores Colby Pearce (Parker, Colo.) and Mike Seager (Victoria, B.C.) earned all-conference honors for their academic excellence. The Pioneers' nine selections were the second most in the league, UNLV earned 10.

Senior midfielder Atencio earned a 3.35 GPA. He played in seven games this past season, starting two times.

Bowers was named to the ESPN Academic All-America First Team this past season. Bowers, a biology and Spanish major, was the first men's soccer player to earn Academic All-America honors. Bowers earned a 3.99 GPA.

Diaz, who is receiving this honor for the third consecutive year with a 3.12 GPA, is a senior from Caracas Venezuela. He played in 12 games and was third on the team in shot on goal percentage (80.0).

Wellen, from Littleton, Colo., earned a 3.28 GPA. He played in all 18 games with 17 starts.

Flynn, a junior from Broomfield, Colo. is a first time honoree for this award earned, a 3.23 GPA. He played in 15 games with 12 starts.

Girard a junior defender from Victoria, B.C. with a 3.07 GPA, was one of six Pioneers to start in all 18 games. He anchored a Denver defense that allowed only 11.1 shots per game.

Junior Kobilca earned a 3.37 GPA while starting all 18 games. His one goal lone game came in Denver's 3-2 win vs. Air Force in the regular-season finale.

Pearce earned a 3.35 GPA. He is a midfielder from Parker, Colo. who saw action in saw action in 12 games. His only point was an assist in Denver's 8-0 win vs. Alabama A&M.

Seager started in all 16 games he played and was first on the team in shot percentage (28.6). He earned a 3.39 GPA.

MPSF recognizes accomplished intercollegiate student-athletes. Qualifying student-athletes must earn a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or better, must have sophomore standing, must have completed one full academic year at the member institution prior to the season recognized and must have competed in fifty percent or more of the institution's competitions in the student-athlete's respective sport.

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
Christian Atencio	Senior	3.35	Midfielder	Richland, WA / Richland HS
Christian Bowers	Senior	3.99	Forward	Holladay, UT / Olympus HS
Alejandro Diaz	Senior	3.12	Forward	Caracas, Venezuela / Jefferson HS
Mark Wellen	Senior	3.28	Midfielder	Littleton, CO / Arapahoe HS
Thomas Flynn	Junior	3.23	Defender	Broomfield, CO / Broomfield HS
Liam Girard	Junior	3.07	Defender	Victoria B.C. / Belmont Sr Secondary
Zach Kobilca	Junior	3.37	Defender	Aurora, CO / Campbell Univ.
Colby Pearce	Sophomore	3.35	Midfielder	Parker, CO / Regis Jesuit HS
Mike Seager	Sophomore	3.39	Mifielder	Victoria B.C. / Belmont Secondary