Five Pioneers Named Strength and Conditioning All-Americans

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) released its 2022-23 College All-Americans this past week, with five University of Platteville-Wisconsin student-athletes earning the honor. The Pioneers to receive the award were sophomore Emma Carlson (Volleyball), sophomore Isaac Bixby (Baseball), senior Justin Eichler (Men's Track & Field), senior Paulina Wienke (Women's Track & Field), and junior Kendall Drake (Softball).

Each student-athlete was nominated for the award by the strength and conditioning staff. The award is given to collegiate student-athletes whose athletic accomplishments and academic achievements reflect their dedicated efforts in the weight room.

Carlson earned First Team All-WIAC honors this season after totaling 407 kills and 292 digs across 32 matches for the Pioneers. The sophomore outside hitter recorded a career high 27 kills against UW-La Crosse on October 4 and helped UW-Platteville finish the season with a 23-9 record.

Bixby has been one of the Pioneers top starting pitchers over the past two seasons and holds a career 4.11 ERA across 85.1 innings pitched. The sophomore has three wins so far this year for UW-Platteville including a complete-game victory over UW-Eau Claire that earned him WIAC Pitcher of the Week honors.

Eichler earned All-American honors in the weight throw during the indoor season, placing eighth overall in the event. The senior also holds school records for both the indoor weigh throw at 19.43 meters and outdoor hammer at 60.39 meters.

Wienke finished fifth at the WIAC Championships in the weight throw, throwing a school record mark of 17.01 meters in the process. Her shot put career best came this year as well, with a throw of 12.38 meters in January at the Dubuque Spartan Invitational.

Drake has played in 21 games for the Pioneers softball team this season and has tallied eight runs scored. Across her three-year UW-Platteville career, the junior has totaled 20 runs scored.