Fresno State Athletics
Four Student-Athletes Named NSCA All-Americans
4/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
April 27, 2005
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has named four Bulldog student-athletes- Greg Gifford, Erin Lange, Lexine Lesser and Annie Malaythong - NSCA All-Americans.This year, the NSCA honored 251 collegiate athletes from over 100 schools as NSCA All-Americans. The 2005 All-American Strength and Conditioning athletes are recognized for their athletic accomplishments, academic and personal achievements, community involvement and leadership qualities.
Gifford (Las Vegas, Nev.), a junior majoring in construction management, sat out the 2005 campaign as a redshirt for Fresno State's wrestling squad. As a sophomore, he was a starter in the 184-division, compiled a 23-13 overall record and was an NCAA Regional qualifier.
"Greg has a great work ethic," said assistant strength coach Moses Cabrera. "He's a self-motivated person that gives it his all every training session. Not even a broken thumb and sprained ankle could keep him from training hard."
Erin Lange (Santa Maria, Calif.) has been a solid team contributor on the equestrian squad this season. Lane, a senior majoring in business, is an English and Western rider who was a 2002 Section A champion in Intermediate Horsemanship II at the Fresno State IHSA California Classic.
"Erin is a two-sport athlete that participates in both team's workouts," said strength and conditioning coach Erik Traeger. "She is one of the hardest workers on each team and the strongest as well."
Two senior pole vaulters on the track and field squad were also named NSCA All-Americans. Lexine Lesser (Hanford, Calif.), a kinesiology major, owns the top vaulting mark on the squad at 12-11.50 (3.95m). She has also qualified for her third straight NCAA Regional appearance. Annie Malaythong (Merced, Calif.), a pre-physical therapy major, will also be making her third consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. Malaythong has reached 12-5.50 (3.80m) already this season- a mark good that is good enough for second on the team depth chart.
"There is no keeping Lexine out of the weight room," said strength coach intern Virginia Thomas. "Lexine has continued to take her training to a new level. Her positive attitude and hard work ethic is contagious."
According to assistant strength coach Moses Cabrera, "Annie has a work ethic that is unmatched. She is always looking for a way to improve and she pushes the people around her to improve as well."
Players Mentioned
