July 31, 2003

DETROIT - Wayne State University Director of Athletics Rob Fournier announced today the 2002-03 Male and Female EDS/Student-Athletes of the Year. Candidates were judged on academic distinction, athletic distinction, individual involvement and University and community service, as well as coaches recommendation.

Senior hockey player Dustin Kingston (Spencerville, Ont.) and senior cross country runner Shelly Vickery (Berkley, Mich.) were selected as the 2002-03 male and female student-athletes of the year after being nominated by their respective coaches with voting by the athletic department's coaches and administrative staff.

"In a long list of deserving candidates, the accomplishments of Shelly and Dustin are singular," said Fournier. "Both have excelled in the classroom, achieved acclaim competitively in leading two successful programs and willingly given of their time in community projects. With both Shelly and Dustin representing the EDS Award, they promote to contemporaries and the public the best of WSU athletics.

Kingston led the Warriors in goals (17) and points (41) this past season as WSU won its third consecutive College Hockey America tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division I tournament. He also was named to the Verizon Academic All-America Second Team after graduating with a 3.89 cumulative grade-point average in history.

He participated in Skate with the Warriors following home games, and Clean Up WSU with faculty, staff and students.

Vickery earned First Team All-America honors at the 2002 national cross country championship after placing 12th. A two-time first team all-region selection, she was also a two-time academic All-GLIAC honoree.

She was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and participated in the Walk-As-One and Dance marathon.

This is the second year EDS has sponsored the WSU Student-Athlete of the Year award. The 2001-02 honorees were softball player Kelly Kashmerick and hockey player David Guerrera.