Stratton Selected to All-WIAC Honorable Mention Team; Nereng Named Scholar-Athlete

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 5, 2009

Madison, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse junior guard Trevor Stratton of Wisconsin Rapids (Lincoln) has been selected to the 2008-09 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Basketball Honorable Mention Team in a vote by league coaches.

UW-L senior guard TJ Nereng of Blair (Blair-Taylor) has been named the Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete while senior guard Rick Karius of Chilton (H.S.) has been selected to the 2008-09 WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Stratton finished second on the team in scoring this season, averaging 16.0 points per game. He scored in double figures in 18 contests this year, including the last eight. Stratton finished with a career-high 35 points in the Eagles’ 78-68 win at UW-Superior Jan. 31, going 14-of-19 from the field, including four-of-six from three-point range. He hit all three of his free throws. The 35 points is tied for 13th in single-game school history. Eric Dudek finished with a school record 43 points vs. UW-Whitewater Feb. 22, 1995.

Stratton had 30 points in UW-L’s 85-70 loss to UW-Eau Claire Jan. 24. He also tied his career-high with nine rebounds against the Blugolds. He scored at least 20 points in eight games overall.

He led the Eagles in free throws made (80) and attempted (93) while finishing second in shooting percentage (86.0%) at the line. His 86.0% shooting ranks eighth in single-season school history. Stratton was second on the team in three-point field goals made (52) and attempted (124) while shooting 41.9% in 2008-09.

A transfer from Carroll University (Wis.), Stratton is fifth in the WIAC in free throw shooting (86.0%) and tied for seventh in three-point shooting (41.9%) this season. He ranks eighth in scoring and three-point field goals made per game (2.12), 13th in field goal shooting (50.0%) and 19th in rebounding (4.2 per game).

Nereng is the fifth player in school history to earn the WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award. An exercise and sport science-fitness major with a 3.71 grade point average, Nereng is a two-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. He has been named to UW-L’s Dean’s List for six semesters.

He served as team captain in 2008-09 and received the team’s Most Improved Award in 2006, Sixth Man Award in 2007 and Dedication Award in 2008. Nereng is also a member of UW-L’s Winner’s Council, Fitness and Sports Management Club and Pre-Physical Therapy Club. He has volunteered with a physical activity program for children with disabilities.

Nereng played in 22 contests this season with 13 starts. He scored a season-high 11 points in the Eagles’ 95-63 win over Dakota Wesleyan University (S.D.) Dec. 29.

Karius played in seven games in 2008-09 with one start. He had three points in UW-L’s 84-58 win over UW-Superior Jan. 3 and three points in a 78-62 loss to UW-Stevens Point Feb. 18.

UW-L finished 10-15 overall in 2008-09, including 4-12 in the WIAC.