Valpo's Jake Diebler, Launa Hochstetler Honored as U.S. Army Scholar-Athletes of the Week

Dec. 26, 2008

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Valparaiso University basketball players Jake Diebler and Launa Hochstetler have been named U.S. Army Horizon League Scholar-Athletes of the Week for the week ending Dec. 21, League commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone announced Friday (Dec. 26).


Diebler (Upper Sandusky, Ohio/Upper Sandusky), a senior, played 27 minutes in Valparaiso's loss to top-ranked University of North Carolina Dec. 20, despite breaking his nose less than four minutes into the game. He finished with two points, one rebound, one assist and two steals.


In the classroom, Diebler carries a 3.57 grade-point average as a marketing major. He was named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll both semesters last year and was also selected to the NABC Honors Court.


Hochstetler (Berlin, Ohio/Hiland), also a senior, scored 24 points, including 20 in the second half, in the Crusaders' loss at 22nd-ranked South Dakota State University Dec. 21. She made 3-of-4 three-point attempts and was 7-of-9 from the free-throw line.


An accounting and finance major Hochstetler owns a 3.75 grade-point average at Valparaiso. She is a two-time member of the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll and has been named to Valpo's Dean's and President's List during her career.


The Horizon League instituted the U.S. Army Scholar-Athlete of the Week awards as a way to recognize outstanding academic and athletic achievement by its student-athletes. To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 or better (on a 4.00 scale), have completed at least one year at the member institution, passed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours and perform well during the week's competition. Winners are selected by a group of League faculty athletic representatives, from nominations provided by sports information directors.

OTHER MEN'S NOMINEES:
Aric Van Weelden, Loyola (basketball, junior, 3.55, business)

OTHER WOMEN'S NOMINEES:
Kailey Klein, Cleveland State (basketball, junior, 3.23, finance)
Elyse VanBogaert, Loyola (basketball, junior, 3.71, music)