The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Westmont’s Brandon Gildea in MLB drafted conducted over the past three days. Gildea was selected in the 36th round.

“I am extremely proud of Brandon for this tremendous accomplishment,” said Westmont head coach Robert Ruiz. “He has been a four year contributor in our program and has improved each year. His humility, work ethic and leadership should provide a great foundation for the next steps in his baseball career.

“Brandon was fortunate enough to draw attention from several MLB teams in this process. We are very thankful that the Angels organization took the time to follow Brandon’s development and give him an opportunity in their organization. I am confident that he will represent himself and Westmont College very well in this new phase of his career.”

Gildea, a two-time All-Golden State Athletic Conference selection, posted a .387 batting average in his senior year and a .524 slugging percentage. He tallied five home runs, two triples and 12 doubles among his 87 hits – a program record. He also drove in 38 RBIs.

Named to the NAIA Women’s Tennis All-American team, Lauren Stratman of Goleta heads the list of several postseason honorees from the Westmont Women’s Tennis team. The sophomore was one of 16 players named to the first team by the NAIA All-American Committee.

Stratman, who posted a record of 21-2 playing at number one singles and 16-8 at number one doubles, was also honored as the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Collegiate Women’s Player of the Year.

In addition, Stratman, along with her sister Kate, were named to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American team. The ITA All-American selection is made by finishing in the ITA top-20 singles ranking at the end of the year or as a top-10 doubles player. Kate, a freshman, posted a doubles record of 14-8, playing mostly at number one doubles with her sister.

Though its season has come to an end, Westmont Men’s Tennis continues to receive a number of awards. Senior Tim Goranson of Falkenberg, Sweden was named to the NAIA All-American first team. Goranson posted a singles record of 16-3 this season and a doubles record of 17-3.

Seniors Rodrigo Schaefer of Florianopolis, Brazil and John Bertram of Melbourne, Australia, along with junior Joshua Barnard of Glendora received NAIA All-American honorable mention recognition.

The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table also acknowledged Goranson, naming him the Collegiate Men’s Tennis Player of the Year at their annual Hall of Fame Banquet.

Goranson, Schaefer and Barnard were also named Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American’s. The ITA national honors are awarded to those who finish in ITA singles-players top-20 ranking or doubles-players top-10.

Sophomore pitcher Russell Harmening of Oceanside received NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors for his performance this year on the mound. Harmening posted a record of 12-3 during the 2014 campaign with an ERA of 2.47. In 113 innings he struck out 95 batters and walked just 23. His 12 wins on season ties for fourth in the NAIA this year, with three pitchers achieving 13 wins.

Harmening was also named to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America® baseball second team for his performance both on the diamond and in the classroom. The prestigious and competitive award, which is given to just 22 athletes in the college division, is administered by College Sports Information of America (CoSIDA). Harmening holds a 3.69 GPA while majoring in mathematics.

The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table also honored Harmening, naming him the Baseball Collegiate Athlete of the Year.

On the final day of the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships, Westmont picked up All-American titles in three more events.

A day after finishing fourth in the heptathlon, Becky Collier finished second in the high jump to claim the title not only of All-American, but also of national runner-up. Nine of the high jumpers cleared 1.68 meters (5-6) but only Collier and eventual winner Akela Jones were able to leave the bar undisturbed at the next height of 1.71 meters (5-7.25).

“I was a little bit sore,” said Collier regarding her physical condition after two days of competing in the heptathlon, “but I was also excited. The high jump is my favorite event.

“I tried to maintain the same mindset I had in the heptathlon. I was surprised that 1.71 got second. I thought it would be a lot higher. My left leg is a little sore, so I think I didn’t have some spring. But, I also think my approach was a little off for my last jumps. However, I was happy with what I did.”

[men's results] [women's results] [photos]

Competing in her first NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship, freshman Becky Collier captured All-American honors by taking fourth place in the women’s heptathlon. This is her third All-American recognition, having captured the same honors in the pentathlon and high jump at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships last March.

“I came in with a different mindset from indoor (nationals),” said Collier. “I was really nervous for indoor, really tense. I came here excited and relaxed and ready to go out and have fun. I do the best when I am having fun and maintaining joy. I had a bad hurdle race, but I was able to put that to the side. The high jump gave me a lot of confidence going into the other events. I was able to carry momentum from there.”

Yesterday, Collier won the heptathlon high jump, clearing 1.77 meters (5-9.75).

“I knew that if I got nervous or tense I would have messed up, so I tried to stay relaxed,” said Collier of the high jump event. “It was helpful that Coach (Josh) Priester was really confident. He said, ‘Becky, you look the best you ever have. I know you can make this height.’ That helped me be confident and see what I could do.”

[men's results] [women's results] [more photos]

Competing in the heat and humidity of the Alabama Gulf Coast, Westmont Track and Field athletes have completed the first day of competition at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship.

After four events, Westmont freshman Becky Collier is currently in fourth place in the women’s heptathlon with 2,986 points. Collier finished seventh in all four of today’s events except for the high jump, which she won. Her mark of 1.77 meters (5-9.75) in the high jump was 0.06 meters and 74 points better than second place finisher Brittany Greene of Cornerstone (Mich.). Greene leads the overall competition after the first day with 3,289 points.

Kristan Holding is in 11th place after the first day with 2,610 points. Holding’s best mark was also in the high jump where she finished ninth with a mark of 1.56 meters (5-1.25). Holding finished 10th in the 200 meters, 11th in the 100 meter hurdles and 12th in the shot put.

[men's results] [women's results] [more photos]

USA Basketball has announced that Westmont Basketball head coach John Moore has been named one of three court coaches for the 2014 USA Basketball Men’s U18 Team training camp. The other two court coaches are Danny Manning of Wake Forest (N.C.) and Steve Schmidt of Mott Community College (Mich.).

The training camp will take place June 10-19 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“As a coach, there are few greater honors than those in which you get to work with other coaches as you represent your country,” Moore said. “What a privilege it is to work with USA Basketball ensuring the ongoing teaching of this great game of basketball to our athletes.

“I hope during this time to stir in these young men an added passion and appreciation for this beautiful game,” Moore continued. “In a practical sense, I hope to put each player in the best possible position for him to be successful.