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Mendonca and Ross Named Athletes of the Year
June 19, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The annual Fresno State Athletes of the Year as voted on by the media has been tabulated and the winners are: Tom Mendonca, a junior third baseman from Turlock, Calif., from the baseball team and Jaleesa Ross, a sophomore guard from Pinole, Calif., on the women's basketball team. Mendonca, a recent second round draft pick by the Texas Rangers, was the WAC Player of the Year after he led the WAC in home runs with 27 and finished his collegiate career ranked in the top five all-time in WAC history in the category. He also broke the Fresno State career home run record by 13 as he finished with 56 in his career. His 27 on the season led the team and ranked among the top three in the NCAA all season. Mendonca's 174 career RBI's rank third in Fresno State history. The 2008 College World Series Most Outstanding Player was named to five All-America teams in 2009 while leading the `Dogs to their fourth-straight WAC title. "Tom is a special player and we couldn't be more proud of him and everything that he has accomplished here at Fresno State," said head coach Mike Batesole. "He's represented his school with class and on the field has been a game-changing player over the last two years. He is a role model for the younger guys in the clubhouse and we are excited to see what the future holds for him." This is the second-straight year that the male athlete has came from the baseball team, as Steve Susdorf won last year after leading the `Dogs to the 2008 National Championship. It is also the 15th time that a baseball player has been named Athlete of the Year. Other male athletes nominated: Erick Garcia (men's cross country), Tom Brandstater (football), Grant Doverspike (men's golf), Rudy Siwy (men's tennis) and Tim Greene (men's track and field).
Ross became just the third women's basketball player to earn the honor since it began being awarded to female athletes in 1982. Wendy Martell was the first in 1987 and two years later, Yvette Roberts was the honoree.
During the 2008-09 season, Ross only improved upon her stellar freshman campaign under the guidance of head coach Adrian Wiggins. In the 2007-08 season, Ross helped lead the Bulldogs to their first-ever WAC Title and NCAA Tournament appearance. Ross was named the WAC Tournament MVP this season after leading the `Dogs to their second-straight WAC regular season and tournament titles along with their second-straight appearance in the NCAA's. A first-team All-WAC selection, Ross became the first player in WAC history to be named WAC tournament MVP in back-to-back seasons. She broke the single-season school record for 3-pointers made with 95, and is already in third place on the school career top 10 list for 3-pointers made with 184. "Jaleesa has developed into an excellent leader on and off the basketball floor," Wiggins said. "She is learning how to take the information she learns and not only apply it but she is helping others apply it. She is continuing to round out her game and becoming a bigger treat off the dribble. While many people recognized her for her offensive abilities she did many things that didn't show up on the stat sheet as she became one the best defenders in the WAC." Other female athletes nominated: Louisa Lies (women's golf), Sharon Ayala (women's track and field), Ali Sill (women's soccer), Haley Perkins (softball), Melanie Gloria (women's tennis), Emily Erwin (lacrosse), Adrianne Smith (equestrian) and Allanah Munson (volleyball), Heidi Gjoen (swimming and diving). Past Fresno State Athletes of the Year
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