Apr 27, 2010 9:13:46 AM

Katherine Theisen, a cross country and track and field student-athlete from the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota), and Joshua Mahoney, a football student-athlete from the University of Northern Iowa, have been selected as the 2010 Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholars.

Theisen, who majored in biology and plans to pursue a postgraduate degree in medicine, and Mahoney, a dual major in economics and English who plans to pursue a law degree, will both receive a $24,000 scholarship to use toward their postgraduate education.

The Byers Scholarship award is one of the highest honors the NCAA bestows on a student-athlete who has achieved academic success. The program was established in 1988 to recognize the contributions of former NCAA executive director, Walter Byers, and encourage academic achievement of student-athletes as they pursue their postgraduate education. 

Nominees must have a minimum 3.5 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrate evidence of superior character and leadership, and show that participation in intercollegiate athletics has been a positive influence on their personal and intellectual development. 

Thiesen, from Elko, Minnesota, was a four-year member of the cross country and track and field teams who participated in four Division III cross country championships and twice earned All-America honors.

Also a track and field All-American, she anchored the distance medley relay team to runner-up finishes at the 2008 and 2009 national meets. She also finished second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase last year and set records in several distance events.  

In addition to her athletics accomplishments, she has been involved with her school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, spoken publicly on what it takes to be successful in athletics, and has been active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and in beautification efforts for her community. She was also an emergency room volunteer. 

Theisen plans to become a family medical physician who will also work with athletes in sports medicine.   

Mahoney, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, started 26 games at middle linebacker and captained the Northern Iowa team in 2009.  He was a four-time letter-winner for a team that finished among the top five in the Football Championship Subdivision rankings three times in the last five years.   

Mahoney was named to his school's dean's list all nine semesters. He was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, volunteered for youth clinics and led discussion groups with local high school students on defining good character. He was also a three-time volunteer for Special Olympics events. 

After pursuing his law degree, Mahoney plans in the short term to become a judicial clerk for the Supreme Court of the United States. His long-term goal is work for an organization that strives for social justice on either a national or international level.   

The NCAA Walter Byers Scholarship Committee is composed of Erin O'Connell, director of athletics, Seattle Pacific University; Lee Meserve, faculty athletics representative, Bowling Green State University (chair); Joseph Smith, director of athletics, Western Carolina University; Christopher Thomforde, president, Moravian College; and Anne Woodrick, associate professor, University of Northern Iowa.