Nu'u, Pounds to enter Hall of Fame

49 to be added to rolls in Colorado

Scott Stocker, Rocky Mountain News

Monday, January 29, 2007

Ashley Nu'u and Dana Pounds could eventually be on their way to the U.S. Olympic team. But the next stop on their athletic trail of glory will be as inductees into the Sportswomen of Colorado's Hall of Fame.

Sportswomen will honor the state's top female athletes and contributors to women's athletics at the 33rd awards banquet on March 11 at the Marriott Tech Center.

The Adams State College women's cross country and track programs and coach Damon Martin also will receive Hall honors.

The 49 athletes, coaches and contributors were chosen by a media panel from more than 130 nominations. The 2007 Sportswoman of the Year will be awarded to the state's most outstanding female athlete for her achievements in 2006.

Honorees become members of the Hall when they have been recognized three times by Sportswomen for their achievements through the years. And the University of Colorado's Nu'u, the Air Force Academy's Pounds and the Adams State cross country/track programs have been exceptional.

Nu'u, an all-state volleyball player at Smoky Hill High School, completed her career at CU with All-American honors. She ranks near the top of CU's career statistics in several categories, including assists, where she is third (4,315).

Nu'u has been invited to the tryouts for the USA Volleyball Team in Colorado Springs that begin in February.

Pounds, a second lieutenant in the Air Force, won her third straight NCAA championship in the javelin, then placed second in the USA Track & Field Championships. She became the academy's only two-time and back-to- back NCAA Division I champion in any sport.

Pounds had the best throw in the nation last season, at 195 feet, 8 inches. It matched the best throw ever by an American- born collegian and was ninth best in the world. She has been accepted into the Air Force World Class Athlete Program to train for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Damon was named the National Coach of the Year by the National Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association after leading Adams State to a fourth straight and 12th Division II national cross country title.

Adams State's national champion track and cross country competitors, TiaNiecia Mosley and Victoria Martinez, also will be cited.

For information and tickets: SportswomenofColorado.org.

AWARD WINNERS

HALL OF FAME - Adams State College cross country program; Ashley Nu'u, University of Colorado, volleyball; Dana Pounds, track and field, U.S. Air Force Academy

SPORTS WINNERS - Ballooning: Carol Rymer Davis, Denver. Basketball: Diana Lopez, Regis University, college; Hannah Tuomi, Horizon, H.S. (large school); Mallory Cline, McClave H.S. (small school); McClave H.S. girls team, coach Dick Peecher. Boxing: Terri Cruz, Denver. Cyclo-cross: Katie Compton, Colorado Springs. Golf: Andrea Watts, Kent Denver H.S. Gymnastics: Hannah Bower, Loveland H.S. Ice hockey: Emily West, Pine Creek H.S. Kayaking: Hanna Farrar, Carbondale, Dartmouth. Field hockey: Greta Meyer, Kent Denver H.S. Lacrosse: Danielle Kachulis, Kent Denver H.S., Duke University; Kristie Leggio, University of Denver. Motor sports: Melanie Troxel, Littleton, National Hot Rod Association. Running: Sara Slattery, Lafayette; University of Colorado cross country team; Kaitie Vanatta, Ralston Valley H.S. Skiing: Lindsey Kildow, Vail; Jana Rehemaa, University of Colorado; Lucie Zikova, University of Colorado. Soccer: Metro State soccer team, coach Danny Sanchez; Nikki Marshall, University of Colorado; Danielle Foxhoven, Mullen H.S. Softball: Jessica Strickland, Colorado State; Kelli Henderson, Cherry Creek H.S. Swimming: Lisa Caprioglio, Highlands Ranch H.S., University of Georgia. Tennis: Rhona Kaczmarczyk, Denver; Sara Anundsen, University of North Carolina. Track and field: Jenny Barringer, University of

Colorado; Dana Pounds, Air Force Academy; Adams State College track/cross country program, Victoria Martinez, TiaNiecia Mosley, coach Damon Martin. Volleyball: Lisa Meeter, Colorado Springs Christian H.S.; Ashley Nu'u, University of Colorado.

MASTERS - Cindi Toepel, XTERRA Triathlon, Littleton; Susan Van de Lippe, swimming, Loveland.

SPECIAL AWARDS - All-around: Melissa Jones, Legacy H.S. coach: Richard Rokas, University of Colorado. Comeback: Dana Derichsweiler, Boulder. Contribution: Sue Burke, Boulder. Courageous: Patty Turgeon, Mullen H.S. Dedication: Nancy Hobbs, Colorado Springs. Inspiration: Marion Downs, Denver. Leadership: Barb Schroeder, Regis University. Milestone: Brooke Sauer, Golden H.S., Colorado State. Most promising: Danielle Haulman, Mullen H.S. Pioneer: Molly Renes, Centennial. Spirit: Roxlyn Cole, Littleton. Woman's Best Friend: Danelle Ballengee and Taz, Silverthorn.

stockers@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5275