Fresno State Athletics
Swimmer Jessica Klenner Selected to Attend NCAA Leadership Conference
5/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
May 7, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - The NCAA has announced the selections of the 2002 NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference. Junior Jessica Klenner, of swimming and diving, has been named to represent Fresno State May 26-30 at Disney's Wide World of Sport's Complex and Coronado Springs Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Klenner was selected as one of 300 student-athletes to participate in the five-day event. In total, the NCAA received 1,138 nominations from 296 institutions. Fresno State wrestler, sophomore James Medeiros, was chosen as an alternate. Also nominated were junior Laura Garcia of women's basketball and junior Roberto Vaca of men's track and field.
"Jessica represents what Fresno State Athletics strives for," said Athletics Director, Scott Johnson. "She has been a consistent leader as a student and an athlete. Her success in both areas will only be enhanced with her participation at the conference."
As the Fresno State representative, Klenner will join the other student-athletes to take part in various thought-provoking and challenging activities for the purpose of promoting her leadership abilities both as a student-athlete at the university and in the community. As a result, all of the student-athletes will enhance their communication, decision-making, problem-solving skills, critical-thinking and collaborative skills. In addition, the conference strives to promote better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administration, faculty and communities.
"I am honored to represent Fresno State at the conference," said Klenner. "This opportunity has provided me a way to improve my leadership ability. I believe after I have completed the conference I can return to the team to share what I have learned."
Klenner, of Mission Viejo, Calif., is a leader for the swimming and diving program, both in the classroom and in the pool. She recently was honored as WAC All-Academic and received both the Coaches Award and was the team's Academic Award Winner. The distance specialist led the team in the 500 and 1000 free and 400 IM throughout the 2001-02 season. She ranked third on the team in top three finishes with 25, while earning four Swimmer/Diver of the Meet honors.
"I think Jessica exemplifies everything a student-athlete should be," said Head Swimming and Diving Coach Daniella Irle. "She is a great student, a great athlete and great decision-maker. She is a role model for everyone and it's truly an honor to coach her."
