SWOCC Student-Athletes Excel, June 17

The National Junior College Athletic Association has honored two stand-out Southwestern athletes as All-American Scholars. Competitive swimmers Wyatt Engler and Marilyn Johnson both have been named individual outstanding scholars for achieving 4.0 grade-point averages. Engler and Johnson are two of this year’s three athlete valedictorians at Southwestern, joined by basketball team member Cooper Stateler, who also earned a 4.0 GPA.
“I am constantly impressed by the quality of our student athletes at Southwestern,” said Dr. Patty Scott, Southwestern President. “Year after year, our coaches set high standards for athletic and academic achievement. Our students take on the challenge and continue to bring awards and attention to our college and community.” Engler, who is from Lebanon, Ore., swam for Southwestern for the past two years earning a record number athletic awards for the swim team. “Wyatt demonstrates the determination, integrity and leadership instrumental to the swim program’s success. He is exemplary of the team’s core values – unity, integrity, respect and dedication,” said Swim Coach Sandra Bullock. Engler graduated from Southwestern this month with an Associate of Arts degree, and recently accepted an offer to swim competitively for Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Fla. His athletic awards while competing for Southwestern include: 2015 CSCAA NJCAA All-American and individual Scholar All-American; 2nd – 500 Freestyle (AA); 3rd – 1650 Freestyle (AA); 3rd – 200 Medley Relay (AA); 5th – 800 Freestyle Relay (HM); 5th – 400 Freestyle Relay (HM); 6th – 200 Freestyle Relay (HM); 200 Freestyle (HM); 2014-2015 – Individual CSCAA NJCAA Scholar All-American – 4.0 GPA; 2016 CSCAA All-American, individual Scholar All-American, member of Fall & Winter Scholar All-American Teams; 2nd – 200 Freestyle Relay (AA); 3rd – 200 Medley Relay (AA); 3rd – 400 Freestyle Relay (AA); 4th – 1000 Freestyle (AA); 4th – 500 Freestyle (AA); 4th – 1650 Freestyle (AA); 6th – 200 Freestyle (HM); Member of Fall & Winter 2015-2016 Men’s CSCAA NJCAA Scholar All-American Teams; 2015-2016 – Individual CSCAA NJCAA Scholar All-American – 4.0 GPA. His teammate Marilyn Johnson also is from Lebanon. She earned enough college credits while attending high school in Lebanon to enter Southwestern as a sophomore. After graduating from Southwestern this June, she plans to spend a year in Uganda, Africa, working for Show Mercy International and then return to the United States to continue her education, majoring in American Sign Language. “Marilyn has proved to be an exceptional role model to be emulated. She is a true servant leader dedicated to the greater good,” Coach Bullock said. Johnson’s awards while competing at Southwestern, include: 2016 CSCAA NJCAA 2nd Team All-American – 200 Freestyle Relay (HM); Member of Fall & Winter 2015-2016 Women’s Scholar All-American Teams; 2015-2016 – Individual CSCAA NJCAA Scholar All-American – 4.0 GPA. Cooper Stateler is a Myrtle Point High School graduate. He played basketball for Southwestern in 2014-16, and is pursuing a career in health care as a medical doctor. Stateler is the first in his family to attend college. He spent last summer working full-time pulling green chain at the Roseburg Forest Products mill in Coquille to pay for college. He also received two scholarships from the Southwestern Foundation to help offset college expenses: The Flaxel Family Scholarship and The John W. Burles Memorial Scholarship – selection of which is based on academic achievement. Additionally, he worked as a tutor at Southwestern, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. “Cooper brought a positive attitude to the basketball court and was a great teammate,” said Coach Trevor Hoppe. “He has a tremendous work ethic which will serve him well as he transfers to Western Oregon University in the fall.” For more information about Southwestern’s athletic programs please visit swoccathletics.com.