Washington University Has Four Named UAA Athlete of the Week

St. Louis, Mo., October 31, 2011 – Washington University in St. Louis had four student-athletes earn University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week honors, as announced Monday by the Association.

Seniors Michael Burnstein of the No. 3 ranked men’s country team, senior Erica Jackey of the No. 2 women’s cross country team, senior Easton Knott of the football team and freshman Lillie Toaspern of the No. 17 women’s soccer team each earned the honor.

Burnstein won the UAA men’s individual championship for the second-straight year, becoming the second WUSTL male student-athlete to win back-to-back titles, and just the fourth in school history to place first at the conference championship meet. Burnstein completed the 8K course in a time of 25:29.80, over 11 seconds better than second place finisher Evan Gates of Carnegie Mellon University. The WUSTL men’s team totaled 46 points and captured the UAA Championship for the second year in a row and sixth time in school history.

Jackey captured the UAA women’s individual championship after completing the 6K course in a time of 22:09, which is the sixth fastest time in UAA history. Jackey edged out Emily Wobb of Carnegie Mellon by eight seconds to capture the school’s 10th UAA individual title. The WUSTL women’s team picked up its third-straight UAA title and a conference-best 12th in school history.

Knott’s 77-yard touchdown reception helped lead Washington U. to a 14-7 victory at Carnegie Mellon in the UAA opener on Saturday in Pittsburgh, Pa. Knott’s reception from junior quarterback Dan Burkett broke a 7-7 tie midway through the third quarter and propelled Washington U. to its third-straight victory. He finished the day with four catches and a game-high 94 yards.

Toaspern netted a pair of game-winning goals as the women’s soccer team moved into a tie for second place in the UAA standings with two home victories. She recorded a hat trick in a 5-1 win over the University of Rochester on Friday, and then netted the game-winner in the 26th minute as Washington U. defeated No. 18 ranked Case Western Reserve on Sunday. Toaspern is tied for the conference lead with nine goals and also ranks second in the UAA in points (23).