Seventeen student-athletes in four different sports were named to their respective All-Midwest Conference athletic teams as Monmouth College recently finished its fall sports seasons. Monmouth, an NCAA Division III college located in Monmouth, Illinois, is a member of the Midwest Conference (MWC). The Fighting Scots had student-athletes recognized for outstanding achievement in football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball on lists released by the conference's sports information office.

Football
Nine Fighting Scot players were named to All-Conference teams in football. Monmouth, which ended the season at 2-8 and posted a conference mark of 2-6 (7th MWC), did not have any First Team selections on either offense or defense. The Scots' only player on the Second Team All-Conference offensive unit was junior lineman Jason Wheat (Miami,FL). Senior interior lineman Matt Russell (Dunlap,IL) and junior linebacker Dan Taylor (Woodhull,IL) made the Second Team defense. Senior Jeff Timmons (Lewistown,IL), who was named at both tight end and punter for the second straight year, was one of six Scots named to the Honorable Mention lists, along with junior wide receiver Andrew Tyra (Tremont,IL), senior defensive back R.J. Haines (Rushvile,IL), senior offensive lineman Zac Chatterton (Avon,IL), senior Josh Didier (Des Plaines,IL) and sophomore quarterback Jon Baikie (Oak Lawn,IL).

Volleyball
The Fighting Scots were represented on the Southern Division First Team in volleyball by freshman middle hitter Jaime Jones (LaHarpe,IL). Two Fighting Scot players made their second consecutive appearance on the Second Team ballot as senior Michelle Kommer (Monticello,IL) and sophomore Cathie Osborn (Hartsburg,IL) were tabbed at outside hitter positions. Monmouth finished with a season match record of 21-10 and an MWC divisional record of 2-2. The Scots advanced to the conference postseason tournament and finished third of ten teams, their highest finish in four years.

Men's Soccer
The Monmouth men's soccer team, despite a disappointing season record of 3-10-3 (1-7-1, 10th MWC), earned four Second Team All-Conference selections. Senior midfielders Sean Lowery (St. Peters,MO) and Washington Mukumbila (Addis Ababa,Ethiopia) were picked by a vote of league coaches to represent Monmouth along with junior defenders Gary Schneider (East Moline,IL) and Matt Burge (Champaign,IL).

Women's Soccer
The women's soccer program claimed its first four-time All-Midwest Conference selection in team history as senior Tisha Kimoto (Pittsford,NY) earned her third First Team honor in four years. Kimoto, who was named to the MWC's Second Team as a junior, set new single-season (12) and career (32) marks for most goals this year and led the Fighting Scots to their second straight eight-win season. Monmouth ended the fall season with a mark of 8-8 (4-5, 5th MWC).

CHAMPAIGN -- Matt Burge, a junior defender, earned his first All-MWC honor in men's soccer. Burge, a 1996 graduate of Champaign Central High School, spearheaded the Scots= defensive effort this fall and also scored two goals and one assist.

DES PLAINES -- Josh Didier, a senior defensive back, made his second appearance on the All-Conference list for football. Didier is a 1994 graduate of Maine West High School and was one of the team's defensive standouts in divisional games this fall. His 46 tackles was the fourth-highest total on the team and he also recorded one interception and forced two fumbles. He is the son of Michael and Cheryl Didier of Des Plaines and is a history major.

DUNLAP -- Matt Russell, a 1995 graduate of Dunlap High School, earned his first All-Conference honor as an defensive lineman. Russell started every game for the Scots and anchored the defensive frontline. He led interior linemen with 28 solo tackles, 4 tackles for losses and also had one quarterback sack. Russell is a senior Physical Education major and is the son of David and Camilla Russell of Dunlap.

EAST MOLINE -- Gary Schneider, a junior defender, earned his first All-MWC honor in men's soccer. Schneider, a 1996 graduate of United Township High School in East Moline, started every match for the Scots= defense this fall.

HARTSBURG -- Cathie Osborn, a 1997 graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School, earned her second All-Conference selection in women=s volleyball. Osborn was one of the team=s main hitters and posted 274 kills in 31 matches, the second-highest individual total. She was also second in team stats in both service aces (72) and digs (498) this fall. She is the daughter of Glenn and Diane Osborn of Hartsburg.

LaHARPE -- Jaime Jones, a 1998 graduate of LaHarpe High School, was selected to the First Team All-Conference ballot in women=s volleyball. Jones was the team=s main hitter/blocker on the frontline, recording team-high totals of 367 kills and 153 blocks in 31 matches. She earned All-Tournament honors several times during the season and helped to lead the Scots to a third-place finish at the league tournament. She is the daughter of Jim and Cindy Jones of LaHarpe.

LEWISTOWN -- Senior Jeff Timmons, the son of William and Kathy Timmons of Lewistown, was an Honorable Mention selection at both tight end and punter. Timmons, who returned to action after a broken leg cut his 1997 season short, led the team with 37 punts for 1295 yards, an average of 35.0 yards per kick this fall. He also was one of the team=s main receivers, recording 17 catches for 298 yards (17.5 yds/catch) and caught one touchdown pass. Timmons is a 1995 graduate of Lewistown Community High School.

MONTICELLO -- Michelle Kommer, a senior outside hitter, earned her second All-Conference honor in women's volleyball by being named to the South Division Second Team squad. She is the daughter of Paul and Pamela Kommer of Monticello and graduated from Monticello High School in 1995. Kommer provided solid offense for the Scots and was oneof their defensive mainstays, leading the team with 525 digs and also recorded 271 kills, the third-highest total on the squad.

OAK LAWN -- Sophomore Jon Baikie, a 1997 graduate of Oak Lawn High School, was selected as a Honorable Mention quarterback in football. Baikie, in his first year at quarterback, led the Scots with 639 yards rushing and completed 36-of-87 passes for 590 yards. Baikie also returned eight kickoffs for 215 yards and led the Scots' returners with a 26.9 average. The versatile soph was also the team=s second punter (14 punts, 34.3 yard average). The son of Donald and Kimberly Baikie of Oak Lawn, he is a Physical Education major.

PITTSFORD, NY -- Tisha Kimoto, a 1995 graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, was named to the All-Conference team in women's soccer for a team-record fourth consecutive season. A versatile midfielder/forward, Kimoto set a new team single-season record with 12 goals this fall and also scored a record 29 points. Her four-year totals of 32 goals and 71 points also stand as the program=s all-time career records. She is the daughter of Walter and Joi Kimoto of Pittsford, NY and is a junior Environmental Science major at Monmouth.  

RUSHVILLE -- Senior R.J. Haines, a 1995 graduate of Rushville High School, earned his first All-Conference honor in football. Haines posted 48 total tackles from his defensive back position, the second-highest total on the team, and led the Fighting Scots with three interceptions and eight pass defenses. He is a Biology major and the son of Gene Haines and LouAnn Winston of Rushville.

ST. PETERS, MO -- Sean Lowery, the son of Randy and Sandy Lowery of St. Peters, was a Second Team selection in men's soccer. Lowery, a senior Biology major, scored only one goal and one assist this fall but was the team's inspirational leader from his center midfield position.

TREMONT -- Junior Andrew Tyra, the son of Nugent and Carol Tyra of Tremont, was an Honorable Mention selection at wide receiver after leading the Fighting Scots in both receptions and receiving yards. His 24 catches accounted for 479 yards (20.0 per reception) and he caught six touchdown passes this fall. Tyra is a 1996 graduate of Tremont High School.

WOODHULL -- Dan Taylor, a 1996 graduate of AlWood High School, was named as Second Team linebacker in football. Taylor was a versatile defensive player for the Scots and posted a team-high 72 total tackles this season. He also had six tackles for losses, one fumble recovery, three sacks and one pass interception. He is the son of Gary and Rhonda Taylor of Woodhull.

• Athletic All-Conference
• Athletic All-American
• Academic All-Conference
• Academic All-American