Monday, March 30, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. – Guests for episode 59 of GNAC Insider included Simon Fraser golfer John Mlikotic, Western Washington sprinter Alex Donigian and Saint Martin’s softball coach Rick Noren.

Mlikotic is the senior captain for the Clan golf team. With an average score of 73.1, Mlikotic is one of three Clan golfers averaging the lowest five rounds per tournament in the GNAC. Last week, the ninth-ranked team in the nation won the Cal Baptist Invitational as three golfers recorded top 20 finishes. Mlikotic led SFU, placing second, after shooting a 68 in the final round. He had two of the Clan's three sub-par rounds for the tournament as well. Mlikotic was asked about his, and his team's, finish at the invite and how the team is preparing for the GNAC Championships April 20-21.

Donigian is in his junior year running for the Vikings. At the indoor national championships a few weeks ago, Donigian took second in the 60 meters in a five-way photo finish, only .001 seconds away from the first-place finisher. This past weekend, Donigian competed at the 88th Annual Nike Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin. The relays featured 7,000 high school, collegiate and professional athletes from around the nation. The junior placed third in his heat and 11th overall in the 100 meters, running the fastest time in DII this year at 10.27. His time also broke the school and GNAC records in the event. Donigian talked about his indoor finish, the Texas Relays and his track goals for the next few years.

Noren is in his fifth season leading the Saints. With a 7-1 GNAC record, and 27-13 overall, Noren has the Saints atop the conference standings. This past weekend Saint Martin’s traveled to Turlock, Calif., to compete in the Cal State Stanislaus Tournament of Champions where it took home the silver bracket championship after beating third-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay in the title game. SMU pitcher Sam Munger was awarded tournament MVP honors after batting .583 while throwing three complete games. Noren broke down SMU's performance at the Tournament of Champions on Tuesday's show.

GNAC Insider airs live at 7 p.m. Pacific time every Tuesday and is produced by the conference office. All episodes become available as free podcasts via iTunes, and for archived listening via GNAC.TV.