Tommie Sports - Women's Cross Country
Ex-Tom Katie Theisen gets elite Walter Byers award
April 27, 2010
St. Thomas graduate Katie Theisen has been awarded the NCAA's prestigious Walter Byers Scholarship. Theisen was chosen as this year's female recipient of the $24,000 postgraduate scholarship.
Theisen joins an elite list of honorees since the award was initiated in 1989. She's just the seventh Division III honoree -- and second Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Conference recipient -- out of 44 total honorees to date.
Northern Iowa football player Josh Mahoney was this year's Watler Byers' male recipient.
Theisen, an Elko, Minn., native and a 2009 Tommie grad, is currently enrolled in medical school at the University of Minnesota. She hopes to become an M.D. and work in family practice and assist college athletics teams.
Theisen recetly flew to Indianapolis for interviews after being named one of three female finalists.
Tommie coach Joe Sweeney said Theisen is the ultimate role model and team contributor.
"As a student, athlete and leader, Katie is one of the most accomplished people we have ever had in our program," Sweeney said. "The toughness and determination she exhibited inspired others to achieve more, and helped our teams win 11 out of a possible 12 MIAC titles. She is one of the finest young people I have ever coached, and it’s great to see her recognized with this tremendous honor.”
Theisen becomes the third Minnesota collegian to receive the award. She joins 1996 male honoree Chris Palmer of St. John's, and ex-Minnesota Gopher gymnast Marie Roethlisberger, a 1991 honoree.
"This is one of the top awards that any MIAC student-athlete has ever received," said St. Thomas athletics director Steve Fritz. "We're very proud of Katie and appreciate all her contributions to St. Thomas in running, in the classroom, and as a team and campus leader."
Theisen's athletics and academic resume is loaded with prestigious honors. She graduated with a 4.00 grade-point average in Biology, was twice voted first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America, and as an undergrad was also awarded a Goldwater Scholarship. She received a $7,500 NCAA postgraduate Scholarship, was among 30 national finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, and was named the 2008-09 MIAC Female Student Athlete of the Year by College Sporting News.
Theisen was a six-time All-American, including an NCAA runner-up placing in the steeplechase last May in a conference record time of 10:27. She anchored UST's distance medley relay to ru
nner-up NCAA indoor finishes in 2008 and 2009. She also anchored that quartet to first place at the 2009 Drake Relays -- the conference's first relays win at Drake in 77 years. In her four NCAA cross country championship races, she improved each year from 71st to 36th to 20th to 13th place.
Theisen helped the Toms win 11 of a possible 12 MIAC team titles in CC, indoor and outdoor track on her career. She contributed to 263 team points in eight career conference track and field meets, and was a four-time All-MIAC honoree in cross country. She was a nine-time MIAC Athlete of the Week in her three sports. Theisen was a two-time cross country All-American.
"Many things elevated Katie as a student-athlete," said Assistant coach Tim Springfield, "Her rigorous discipline and strong commitment to the team were probably most prominent. Her eagerness to take on challenges and her fierce tenacity as a competitor were really special. We often asked Katie to carry a heavy load for the team -- she scored an amazing 263 points in MIAC track championships spread over 12 different events. Whenever she lined up to compete for St. Thomas, no matter how tired she might be, I knew she would give her absolute best. That tenacity is what I'll remember most. I’m sure her professors would say the same thing about her performance in the classroom."
Theisen has been involved in fundraising efforts for Huntington's disease and autism., and was active in development of the Tommie Olympics and in organizing the first UST Athletic Banquet. She volunteered in UST's Campus Ministry and was president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. She also has been a volunteer in area emergency rooms.
Fab family
Katie has been part of an impressive family legacy at St. Thomas. Her brother, former Tommie standout, P.J. Theisen, received an elite $18,000 postgraduate scholarship by the National Football Foundation. Younger sister Becky, a UST junior, is a two-sport contributor with a near perfect grade-point average.
P.J. who graduated in 2008 with a 3.94 grade-point average in Accounting, was a seven-time track and field All-American. His four career CoSIDA Academic All-America honors in football and track and field rank second in conference history. Only St. Thomas' Andrew Hilliard has won more Academic All-America honors (five) among MIAC student athletes.
P.J. scored 233 individual points in eight MIAC championship meets (indoors and outdoors). Only UST 
legend Leonard Jones (247) has scored more individual points among all conference competitors. Theisen was a part of seven MIAC title teams in indoor and outdoor track.
P.J. Theisen also was a four-year starter in football and was an honorable-mention All-American and two-time All-MIAC wide receiver. One of 10 national finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy (the Division III Player of the Year), Theisen finished his career in the top five among MIAC players in two categories -- he was third in receptions with 218 and fourth in receiving yards at 3,223 yards. He also had 25 touchdown catches to finish with 150 points, sixth best in school history. He finished third in career all-purpose yards at 4,025. He had 100-yard receiving games in 13 of his last 19 games.
PHOTO: From left, Katie, P.J. and Becky Theisen (Mike Ekern photo)
P.J. Theisen was named a National Football Foundation Scholar and became just the fourth MIAC player in 40 years to win the NFF's prestigious $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. He also was was among 22 players in all levels of college football to be chosen to the AFCA's Good Works Team for exceptional community service. He was named 2007-08 MIAC Male Student Athlete of the Year by College Sporting News.
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