May 12, 2009

GREENVILLE, N.C. --- East Carolina junior swimmer Blake Briese and senior golfer Markus Leandersson have been recognized by the ECU Department of Finance for their academic achievement and University service.

Briese, who graduated this past weekend with a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 as a finance major, was selected as the recipient of The Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award for 2008-09 based upon scholarship, leadership and extracurricular activities. Briese is a three-year letterman on the Pirate swimming and diving team and has one year of eligibility remaining.

The department selected Leandersson as the Outstanding Senior for 2008-09. Leandersson graduated with a 4.0 GPA as a finance major and was a four-year letterman. As a junior he was named to the 2008 Conference USA All-Academic Team.

Briese and Leandersson both received the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal, which is given to those C-USA student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better, this season. Leandersson is a four-time recipient of the award, while Briese has earned the medal three times.