Scheels Cobber Athletes Of The Week

MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/09/16)—Saturday played a pivotal role in this week’s Scheels Cobber Athlete of the Week races. Both Tom Fraase and Vanessa Johnson used their winning performances on Saturday to earn this week’s award.

Fraase posted a career-high 35 points and went 5-for-8 from 3-point range in helping the Cobbers men’s basketball team come up with an improbable 114-107 double overtime win at home against Gustavus. Johnson won her second straight high jump competition as she won the event at the Cobber Open on Saturday. 

Scheels is pleased to congratulate the Cobber Athletes of the Week award winners. Each week the Concordia sports information department will choose a deserving Cobber male and female athlete of the week.

Scheels has been a longtime supporter of Concordia athletics and is excited to continue their showcasing of the great passion that Cobber athletes bring to the game. Like Cobber athletes, Scheels has a long tradition of quality commitment to athletics. The first Scheels store was opened in 1902 and throughout the years the company has backed local athletic programs. Today, Scheels is a 25-store operation with stores in 10 states and was recently voted the best sporting goods store by Sports Illustrated Kids magazine. 

MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
TOM FRAASE – Sr., Bismarck, N.D./Bismarck Century
Fraase was one of the leaders for the Cobbers in Saturday’s dramatic win and also played a huge part in CC’s two wins last week. He averaged 23 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor, 54.5 percent from three and 92.3 percent from the line in the two games last week.

In addition to his Scheels Cobber Athlete of the Week award, Fraase also captured MIAC Player of the Week honors for the second time in his career.

Fraase was at his best late in the game on Saturday. He sent the game into a second overtime with a buzzer beater at the end of the first extra period. He then scored eight of the team's first 10 points to help Concordia post an improbable 114-107 win over the Gusties. The Cobbers trailed Gustavus by 15 points at one time in the second half and were also down by three points in the first overtime.    

WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
VANESSA JOHNSON, So., Page, N.D./Northern Cass HS
Vanessa Johnson has used her appearance at last year’s NCAA National Outdoor Meet to kick start her sophomore season.  She has won the high jump in both meets in 2016 and is listed in the top 15 of the nation in the event so far this season.

Last week Johnson won the high jump with a mark of 5-05.25 and won the Cobber Duals meet by two full inches. The meet included athletes from NCAA Division II and III. On Saturday she backed up her meet-winning performance by claiming the high jump title at the Cobber Open. She posted her second winning height of at least 5-05 and continues to lead the MIAC in the event.

John’s season-best height of 5-05.25 is No.15 on the NCAA Division III list.