CEDAR CITY, Utah - March 16 - Southern Utah's Elise Wheeler has been named the Western Athletic Conference Gymnast of the Week after a strong performance last weekend at the University of Utah.  The award is the seventh conference weekly award for the senior this year.

Wheeler finished second in the all-around with a 39.500 in a quad meet with the University of Utah, Oregon State and Penn State.  The mark was the second highest in school history and narrowly off the school record of 39.550 set by Wheeler earlier this year.  The San Diego native scored three 9.900's and one 9.800 during the night to finish in the top seven of each event.

Southern Utah will return to competition this weekend when the Thunderbirds host Cal State Fullerton on Friday night followed by Brigham Young University on Monday night.  The meet against the Cougars will coincide with senior night for SUU seniors Melissa Johnson, Bailey Baker, Lindsey Schultz and Wheeler.