Issued: March 3, 2003

MEN'S BASKETBALL NAMES AWARD WINNERS AT ANNUAL BANQUET

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire men's basketball team held its annual end-of-the-season banquet Sunday afternoon where awards for the 2002-2003 season were handed out.

The Blugolds finished 17-10 on the season and 8-8 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Eau Claire won four of its last five regular season game to climb back to .500 in conference play and earn a No. 6 seed in the WIAC Tournament. The Blugold reeked havoc in the tourney as they upended No. 3 seed River Falls 68-65 in the first round before falling to Whitewater in the semifinals.

Jason Larson (Sr.-Sugarland, TX/Stephen F. Austin) was the expected big winner at the awards ceremony and he received five awards for his accomplishments during the season, including the team's Most Valuable Player. The 6-1 guard also won the big D award, the three-point field goal percentage award and the assist award as well as being one of three inspiration award winners. Larson's numbers for the season included 22.1 points per game, 6.0 rebounds per game, 103 assists, and 42 steals. He finished second in the conference in both points per game and assists while also hitting an incredible 70-of-159 from behind the arc for an even 44 percent. Larson was also named honorary co-captain at the ceremony.

The other honorary co-captain, Andy Witte (Sr.-Madison/Monona Grove) was given both the hustle and rebound awards. Witte led the team in rebounding on the season, hauling in an even 8.0 rebounds per contest while also averaging 9.9 points per game. The 6-8 senior also hit 31.5 percent from downtown, a very respectable number for an inside player.

Another big winner at the banquet was Dan Archambault (So.-Oshkosh/West) who grabbed both the free throw percentage and steal awards as well as being another of the three inspiration award winners. Archambault finished third in conference in free throw percentage, hitting an astounding 86.9 percent from the stripe while also finishing fifth in conference with 46 steals. Archambault finished second on the team in points per game with 14.4.

Casey Drake (So.-Rhinelander) took home the fireman award for the player who sparks the team with his performance off the bench. Drake played a significant role for the Blugolds and went from 4.3 points per game one year ago to 5.3 points per game in 2003. Drake was named the most valuable non-starter at the 34th annual Eau Claire Holiday Classic held last December in Eau Claire.

Nate Beck (So.-Rothschild/D.C. Everest) was selected as the team's most improved player. Starting in 24 games this season, Beck improved from 3.4 to 6.1 points per game while averaging 3.3 rebounds per game compared to 2.9 a season ago.

Tyler Birkel (Fr.-Spring Valley) made an impact at the awards ceremony as a freshman as he grabbed the most valuable new player and the field goal percentage awards. Birkel hit 25-of-41 shots attempted for 61 percent on the season. He also led the team with 14 blocks while playing less than 10 minutes per game.

Jesse Breidenbach (So.-Oregon, WI) was the third inspiration award winner joining Larson and Archambault. Breidenbach saw limited action this season but grabbed seven steals in just 65 minutes for the Blugolds.