April 17, 2008

QUEENS, N.Y. - The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recently awarded two St. John's student-athletes, junior Casie Brooks of the volleyball team and senior Tom Michaelsen of the lacrosse team, with its annual All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year award. The award recognizes the student- athletes' dedication to strength training and conditioning.

The two Red Storm athletes were nominated by Rob Basile, St. John's director of strength and conditioning. This year, the NSCA awarded 239 student-athletes from 165 schools with the esteemed award.

Brook's success in the weight room was evident on the court this year. In 2007, she posted career highs in kills and hitting percentage. The Victorville, Calif. native was a pivotal part of the No. 13 St. John's volleyball team's "dream season," in which the team posted a program-best 33-4 record and made its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament's regional semifinal round.

"Casie is an outstanding student-athlete who has demonstrated a commitment towards her strength and conditioning training," Basil said of the junior volleyball standout. "Her athleticism, work ethic and positive attitude have allowed her to make excellent gains in strength, power, quickness and fitness."

Michaelsen, a tri-captain of the St. John's lacrosse team, has been a four-year starter for the program and the squad's leading scorer in each of his first three seasons. He currently ranks fifth on the Red Storm's all-time scorer's list with 105 career points (67 goals, 38 assists), including 10 career hat tricks. The Bethpage, N.Y. native has been a consistent leader both on and off the field.

"Tom embodies those qualities that a strength and conditioning coach hopes to find in every student-athlete," said Basil. "His intensity, dedication and positive attitude towards training have allowed him to make tremendous gains in strength and power."