Ashley Bishop Completes Successful Career at SVSU
Bishop Earns Top Female, All-American Honors for Cardinals

Ashley Bishop

Ashley Bishop, a 2002 graduate of Pickford High School, while competing for the Cardinals at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), received the Female Ryder Athlete of the Year, the highest honor that an SVSU athlete can earn, and was named All-American during her senior season.

Bishop selected Saginaw Valley State University on the basis of education opportunities, track and field coaches, and college atmosphere, and in May, she plans to be graduated with a degree in elementary education (social studies, sciences). She is the daughter of David and Jane Bishop.

Bishop credits high school coaches John Bennin and Ryan Fountain for getting her career off to the right start. At SVSU, she benefited from the knowledge of Head Coach Jim Nesbitt and throwing coach Jeremy Garn, she said.

"I have learned so much leadership and responsibility from the sport, and the rewards of competing as a collegiate athlete are endless," said Bishop.

Bishop is the SVSU record holder in the 20-pound weight throw with a mark of 56'8" and the hammer throw at 167'8." She earned All-American honors after placing eighth in the weight throw at the NCAA Division II nationals in Boston.

She is the Upper Peninsula state record holder in the shot put at 42' and one half-inch, and discus at 114'6," received Most Dedicated, Most Improved, and Most Valuable Freshman honors while with the Cardinals.

In 2004, Bishop was Great Lakes Interscholastic Athletic Conference champion in the weight throw, and in 2006 finished ninth in the NCAA Division II indoor meet at Boston. In 2007, she placed 12th in the hammer and 14th in shot at the NCAA national indoor championships.

Bishop will complete her education with a student teaching assignment at Freeland. She is proud of her All-American honor, she said, and will use her degree to teach and is interested in coaching in the future.