Thursday, November 14, 2002

Valparaiso University head men's soccer coach Mis' Mrak has been named the Mid-Continent Conference Coach of the Year while three of his players earned Second Team All Mid-Continent Conference honors the league has announced.

Jeff Oleck (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral H.S.), Ben Olson (Oregon, Wis./Oregon H.S.), and Billy Wanecke (Granger, Ind./Mishawaka Marian H.S.) all earned a spot on the conference's Second Team.

Mrak led the Crusaders to a third place finish in the Mid-Con this season after the squad was tabbed sixth in the preseason poll. Valpo finished conference play with a 2-2-1 mark, while going 5-9-2 overall entering the conference tournament. This marks the third Coach of the Year honor for Mrak, as he was also named the conference's top coach in 1997 and 1998.

Oleck burst on to the scene for the Brown and Gold as a freshman this season, posting a 1.75 goals against average, currently the best in school history. He has posted four shutouts in goal for the Crusaders this season, including a pair in conference play.

Olson leads the Crusaders in scoring on the season with nine goals for 18 points. The senior has tallied three match-winners on the season, including one against nationally-ranked Wisconsin.

Wanecke also provided the Crusaders offense from his forward position. He tallied a pair of markers and added an assist to help lead Valpo into the Mid-Con Tournament as the third seed.