Oct. 21, 2009

BEMIDJI, Minn. -- Bemidji State University’s Laura Slinger (So., OH, Faribault, Minn.) and Brian Leonhardt (Fr., TE, Blaine, Minn.) have been named Beaver Pride Athletes of the Week after outstanding athletic performances during the week of Oct. 12-19.

Slinger helped the BSU volleyball team to a 2-1 mark last week, including a 2-0 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play, sweeping Northern State University and the University of May. In nine sets, she had 16 kills (1.00 k/s) and posted a .359 hitting percentage, which included a .571 mark against NSU. She had 10 blocks (1.11 b/s) over the course of the week, a career-high six of which came against U-Mary. Her play at the net was instrumental in the Beavers limiting NSU and UM to a dismal .046 attacking percentage, dropping BSU’s opponent hitting percentage from .234 to .203 for the season. She was also a key to the Beavers holding U-Mary to just seven points in the first set Saturday, setting a BSU rally scoring-era school record for fewest number of points scored by an opponent in a set.

The announcement marks the first Beaver Pride award of Slinger’s collegiate career and the third time that a member of the BSU volleyball team has been honored during the 2009 season.

Leonhardt played a pivotal role in the Beavers’ 45-6 football victory over University of Minnesota, Crookston Oct 17. The freshman tight end was on the receiving end of three of quarterback Derek Edholm’s (Jr., Anoka, Minn.) five touchdown passes, setting career marks for receptions (4), yards (82) and touchdown catches (3). He became the first BSU receiver to grab three TD passes in one game since Anthony Schreiber posted a trio Nov. 9, 2007. Leonhardt now has a touchdown reception in each of the Beavers’ last four contests and leads all BSU receivers with seven TDs.

This also marks the first Beaver Pride Athlete of the Week award of Leonhardt’s career, while he is the sixth football player to receive the award during the 2009 campaign.

Slinger and the BSU volleyball team (9-14. 6-6 NSIC) play their lone match of the week at home Saturday. The Beavers welcome No. 11 University of Minnesota Duluth (21-3, 11-1 NSIC) to the BSU Gymnasium for a 3 p.m. conference tilt.

The Bemidji State football team also host Minnesota Duluth this week. The Beavers (6-2, 5-2 NSIC) and No. 7 Bulldogs hit the field at Chet Anderson Stadium Saturday for a 1 p.m. opening kick off. The match up between regionally-ranked teams will have major implications on the NSIC North standings and the NCAA playoff picture for both teams.

--bsu--