Bureau County athletes competing in NCAA III nationals

Augustana senior Laura Luloff is congratulated by coach Fred Whiteside after receiving her varsity A Letter Blanket.

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There are four area athletes competing in this weekend’s NCAA III Track and Field finals in Oshkosh, Wis.

University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Scott Howard, a junior from Princeton, landed seventh place in the pole vault at 15-5. He earned all-American honors just as he did indoors.

First place  Jonny Henkins of Monmouth College went 16-7 1/2.

Also competing were Augustana College seniors Wes Jackson of Mineral and John Thompson of Ladd. To qualify, Jackson cleared 16-1 1/2 at the Viking Olympics on March 29 while Thompson went over 15-7 1/2 in the Meet of Champions on April 19.

Neither vaulter was able to clear opening height in Thursday’s competition.

They are joined by teammate Evan Holschbach, a member of the Vikings 1600 relay team that ran 3:13.91 at the Drake Relays on April 26. Holschbach took second in the 200 meters (22.38) in last week’s Augustana Twilight Qualifier.

The Vikings are ranked No. 1 as a team in Division III.

• Postseason awards are coming in for area college athletes.

Thompson, Jackson and Laura Luloff of Princeton all received a varsity “A” letter blanket upon the conclusion of their senior track season at Augustana College.

The varsity “A” letter blanket is the highest honor given by the Augustana College Athletic Department. In order to receive a blanket, the student-athlete must compete in his/her sport for four years and earn at least three varsity letters.

Softballer Kristin Bickett (Malden/Princeton) of Mon-mouth College was named to the all-Midwest Conference South Division second team. The senior catcher saved her best for last, hitting a career-high .357 with 16 RBIs. A four-year starter, Bickett hit .472 against conference opponents this season with 11 RBIs.

The Scots, who finished 13-15, placed second in the division and fourth overall in the Midwest Conference for their best league finish since 2004.

• Short hops: Former Bureau Valley standout Rachel Whiteside completed her freshman season as a member of the softball team at Central College in Pella, Iowa. ... Princeton’s Garrett Corn-man finished his sophomore season for Greenville College, taking over the Panthers’ third-base job midway through the season.

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