Colorado University Athletics
Bjork and Persson-Gulda Named CU Athletes of the Week
April 26, 2006
BOULDER? Junior men’s tennis player Peter Bjork and senior women’s golfer Maria Persson-Gulda were named University of Colorado Athletes of the Week for the week of April 18-25. This is Bjork’s third (Jan. 24 and April 5) and Persson-Gulda’s first CU Athlete of the Week honor of the year, also noteworthy is that both winners hail from Sweden. This marks the fifth consecutive time the men’s tennis team has won the award; Bjork became the first player to repeat over the impressive five-week stronghold.
Bjork, a Huddinge, Sweden (Akademi Bastad) native, won both of his singles matches during the week including a come-from-behind match that subsequently clinched the match in Colorado's 4-3 win at Texas Tech. Bjork also upset No. 50 Matija Zgaga of Baylor 7-6(9), 6-3 two days prior to his 26th and 27th victories of the year. The 27 wins are the most by a CU player since Stefan Figley went 27-7 in 1991-92. Bjork is one match from trying the CU record for wins in a season held by James Johnson (28-4) in 1986-87. The Buffaloes (18-7, 5-2), ranked No. 25 nationally, went 1-1 for the week falling at No. 6 Baylor, (6-1) and defeating the No. 46 Red Raiders, (4-3). Bjork is 5-2 at the No. 2 singles position against Big 12 competition and 17-5 in dual play.
Persson-Gulda, a Halmstad, Sweden (Kattegett) native, led the Buffs to their best ever finish in a conference championship, third. Persson-Gulda, the teams lone senior, finished fifth overall with a four-over 76 in the final round, tying her best ever finish in any tournament in her career. Her fifth place finish was paced strongly by her second round score of 71; her three-day total was 78-71-76-225.
Others nominated for this week’s award were: Jessica Vanderdys (women’s tennis) and Carly Newlands (women’s track and field).
Women’s Tennis: Jessica Vanderdys, Senior, Centreville, Va.
Vanderdys teamed with sophomore Gleisy Torres Torres, as Colorado's No.1 doubles team provided the Buffaloes lone bright spot against No. 5 Baylor. They upset the Bears No. 43 ranked duo of Zuzana Cerna and Klara Zrustova, 8-5. The win allowed Vanderdys and Torres Torres to improve to 7-3 as doubles partners, 5-3 against the Big 12. Colorado, ranked No. 53 nationally closed the regular season with a 10-9 overall and 4-7 in the conference.
Women’s Track and Field: Carly Newlands, Senior, Fort Collins, Colo.
