McWilliams, Thys honored for work in weight room
Jon Denham, Sports Information Director
April 10, 2008

Loras College Track & Field team members Nick McWilliams and Ellen Thys were recently named to the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-American squad.

Throwers for the Duhawks teams, Nick and Ellen each hold school records in a variety of events. Nick and Ellen are both seniors from Victor, Iowa and attended HLV High School. McWilliams is the school's record holder in the Hammer Throw and the 35-lb. Weight Throw. Thys owns the best Discus and Javelin throws in school history. She is also a 4 time All-American performer.

"(Nick) always has the drive to push himself harder each day," coach Tom Kult commented recently. "His distances in the throws have increased as a result."

Regarding Ellen's work, Kult was clear on her abilities and performance as well. "Ellen is the most dedicated and hard working female athlete I have trained in the weight room."

A total of 239 collegiate athletes from 165 schools were awarded NSCA All-American honors this year, the groups 29th of the All-American program. The NSCA's mission is to "support and disseminate research-based knowledge and its practical application to improve athletic performance and fitness".