Sea Lions from Around the World
PLNU’s athletic teams host a multitude of talent when it comes to everything from rebounds and free throws to goals, aces, and record-breaking relays. In addition to sports savvy, the Sea Lions boast quite a bit of diversity, with players hailing from across the country and the globe to join their teammates. Here is a glimpse of PLNU’s student-athletes not native to the West Coast.
Luke Lance
Marion, Ind. – Men’s Soccer – Sophomore
Earn PacWest All-Academic honors in his first season with PLNU; favorite food is Hot Cheetos and favorite football team is the Indianapolis Colts.
Joseph Elmquist
Minneapolis, Minn. – Men’s Basketball – Freshman
Lists this as the best advice he ever received: “Keep pushing. You don’t even know what will happen.”
Matt Rose
High Point, N.C. – Men’s Soccer – Senior
Played for the Portland Timbers U23s team during the summer of 2014; had three assists during the season while starting on defense.
Jonathan Tiggs
Fort Worth, Texas – Men’s Soccer – Sophomore
Member of both the PLNU men’s soccer team and track & field team; will forever rank in the top 10 in Sea Lions’ history in the 100m and 200m dashes.
Jessica Escorza
South Riding, Va. – Women’s Basketball – Senior
Recorded the second triple-double in PLNU women’s basketball history when she scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and had 10 assists in a win over Cal Baptist; earned NCCAA All-American honors.
Lauren Levenson
Waimanalo, Hawaii – Track & Field – Junior
Competed in the heptathlon at the PacWest Track & Field Championships in 2013; helped PLNU capture second place in the 4x400m relay at the same PacWest Championships.
Savannah Wedemeyer
Pagosa Springs, Colo. – Volleyball – Junior
Named the NCCAA Volleyball Player of the Year in 2013 after leading PLNU in the National Championship.
Dixie Cooper
Albuquerque, N.M. – Volleyball – Sophomore
Self-professed cat lover who played in 10 matches last season for the Sea Lions on the way to the NCCAA Championship; lists brownie sundaes as her favorite food.
Carly Rodgers
Amherst, Ohio – Track & Field – Junior
Tied for sixth in the PLNU record books in the pole vault after clearing 11-1.75 (3.49m); two-time PacWest All-Academic selection.
Martin Blaho
Bratislava, Slovakia – Men’s Tennis – Junior
Third team All-Pacific West Conference selection; transferred to PLNU from Clemson after his freshman season.
Regina von Koch
Stockholm, Sweden – Women’s Tennis – Sophomore
Her father also went to college in the U.S. (he was a swimmer at the University of Tampa); teammates have nicknamed her Sweden.
Oivind Lundestad
Kongsberg, Norway – Men’s Basketball – Junior
Was a member of the Norwegian National Team during the 2014 World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
Ben Maiava
New Zealand – Men’s Basketball – Junior
Worked for PLNU Conference Services during the summer; was the first person to officially challenge Dr. Bob Brower in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge; has been a manager with the PLNU men’s basketball team the past three seasons.
Marek Klassen
Abbotsford, BC, Canada – Men’s Basketball – Senior
One of three Sea Lion men’s basketball student-athletes to score 30 or more points in a game during the 2013-14 season; was named a PacWest honorable mention selection.
