Athens, Ohio - Ohio University swimmer Emily Bresser was named Ohio's female athlete of the year.

Receiving nominations for the Bob James Memorial Award this year were swimmers Dustin Frazier and Bresser. The nominees must have achieved a 3.5 minimum GPA and shown evidence of good character, leadership and citizenship. The award is a $1000 postgraduate scholarship given to one male and one female in the Mid-American Conference who makes a commitment to pursue graduate studies.

Student-athletes who finish their eligibility with a GPA of 3.5 or better are honored with the MAC Presidential Award. This year's honorees were:

Jackie Conrad (track), Stephanie Seiler (track), Jackie Waller (track), Carley Knox (soccer), Sara Kraus (softball), Dustin Frazier (M Swimming), Emily Bresser (W Swimming), Kassi Saridakis, (W Swimming) and Rachel White (W Swimming). Also, any athlete who has achieved a GPA of 3.0 or better is presented with the Alumni Scholar Athlete Award. All eight of the Ohio Swimming & Diving Seniors (Jessica Binkley, Bresser, Claire Madonia, Kassi Saridakis, Mette Toftdahl, White, Frazier, and Josh Schrage) will be graduating with a 3.0 Grade Point Average.

Additionally, Bresser was named the Outstanding Senior of the Ohio University Telecommunications School, Frazier top GPA of graduating seniors in the Business School and Saridakis top Finance / Insurance Graduate of the Business School. Bresser, a 2001 Verizon 2nd Team Academic All - America and 1st Team All - Midwest, currently holds a 3.8812 GPA. Saridakis, daughter of the 1969 MAC Team Champion / Ohio University Swimming Team Captain Tony Saridakis, currently has recorded a 3.8105 GPA. Frazier will be graduating in only three years with a 3.9170 GPA. The 2001 Verizon 1st Team All - Midwest recipient will be attending The University of Illinois MBA program while concurrently employed by Price, Waterhouse, Coopers of Chicago.