NEWBURG, Ore. Pacific Lutheran University freshman Grady Lemma earned All-Northwest Conference honors in the decathlon on Tuesday, finishing third at the NWC Combined Events Championships.  Lemma becomes the first decathlete since 2006 to earn All-NWC accolades. 
 
"It was a great two days for Grady competing in his first multi's championship," said PLU assistant coach Trey Henderson.  "He had to overcome the adversity of poor weather and a venue change, yet he took it all in stride to put together a solid performance.  It's great to see his work and those of the coaches involved with his training, especially Coach Olivia Cattau, pay off."
 
With the third-place finish, Lemma earned six points for the Lutes team total in the race for the NWC Championship, which will continue on April 22 and 23 at University of Puget Sound.  He also becomes the first Lute to earn All-NWC honors in the event since Erik Jensen finished runner-up in 2006. 
 
Lemma totaled 5,515 points after taking third in the 100-meter dash (11.45), seventh in the long jump (17' 11 ¾"), ninth in the shot put (29' 2 ½") and fifth in the high jump (5'5").  The Walla Walla finished first in the 400 (52.28) and placed second in the 110 hurdles (16.38).  Lemma also placed ninth in the discus (84' 9"), third in the javelin (140' 7"), second in the pole vault (10' 10") and won the 1,500 (4:45.05). 
 
The rest of the Lutes will be back in action on Saturday at the Lewis & Clark College Invitational.