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Cal athletes garner Pac-10 recognition

Daily Planet Staff
Thursday May 11, 2000

Former Cal football star Deltha O’Neal was awarded with a Pac-10 conference medal for his athletic and academic career on Tuesday afternoon, at the athletic program’s annual Academic Honors Celebration Luncheon. 

O’Neal, who was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round of last month’s NFL draft, was the Bears’ offensive and defensive leader in 1999, setting school records in interceptions returned for touchdowns and punt returns. The All-American cornerback majors in social welfare, and was selected for the accolade for his leadership, as well as field and classroom prowess. 

Cal swimmer Elli Overton took home the Pac-10 medal on the women’s side, after winning two conference titles in her career, and being named to the All-America team a staggering 14 times. Overton, a Sydney, Australia, native majoring in business administration, plans to swim in this year’s summer Olympics, hosted by her hometown. 

The luncheon also yielded Golden Bear Individual Awards – given to outstanding athletes with a minimum GPA of 3.2 – to athletes in each Cal varsity sport. Among the recipients were Yauger Williams, for football, Janet Franey, for women’s basketball, and Morgan Lingle for men’s basketball. Williams was also named to the Pac-10 All-Academic team for winter and fall sports, along with women’s basketball star Paige Bowie.