Coombs and Praast succeed on the field and in the classroom

Track and field athletes Michelle Coombs and Stephen Praast have been selected by the Eastern Washington University athletics department as its Scholar-Athletes for the month of May.

Coombs just wrapped up an exceptional season on June 10, when she placed 25th at the NCAA Championships in the javelin. The freshman was the lone Eagle to qualify for the elite competition this year.

Her top throw of 163-1 came at the Big Sky Championships, when her mark outpaced the competition and ranked Coombs third all-time in school history. She then finished sixth at the NCAA West Regionals with a throw of 153-4 to qualify for the national event.

The Hermiston, Ore., native is majoring in psychology and carries a 3.27 grade point average.

Read a Q and A with Coombs here.

Praast claimed the Big Sky title in the high jump with an effort of 6-8 3/4 at the Championships. The junior also placed seventh in the triple jump at that event with a leap of 45-1. Both of those marks were his best in those respective categories this year.

The native of Ravensdale, Wash., is an accounting major with a 3.38 grade point average.

Read a Q and A with Praast here.

Men's Scholar-Athletes
September - Paul Limpf, cross country
October - Alex Smyth, cross country
November - Chris Thomas, football
December - Benny Valentine, basketball
January - Art Karas, tennis
February - Adam Stewart, track and field
March - Paul Limpf, track and field
April - Nico Riego de Dios, tennis
May - Stephen Praast, track and field

Women's Scholar-Athletes
September - Ashley Hamilton, volleyball
October - Lauryn Koelzer, soccer
November - Mandy Daniels, volleyball
December - Kyla Evans, basketball
January - Shene Davis, track and field
February - Krystal Deyo, track and field
March - Rachel Berger, tennis
April - Bonnie Berscheid, track and field
May - Michelle Coombs, track and field