KANSAS CITY, MO. - Megan Willette, a midfielder from Saint Joseph's College (Maine), and Bryan Baird, a forward from the University of California, Santa Cruz, were named today as the recipients of the Association of Division III Independents Student-Athlete of the Month awards for October.

Willette, a freshman from Waterville, ME, scored 11 goals and added six assists during October as the Monks went 5-3. Overall, Willette ranks fifth in the nation, averaging 3.31 points per game, and she recently set a new single-season school record with 53 points. Willette leads a strong Saint Joseph 's scoring attack, which ranks 10th in the country at four goals per game.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 19 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in nine sports in 2005-06. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. In addition, it also will announce All-Independent teams at the conclusion of nine sports this year.

All student-athletes from the Association's 19 members were eligible for the award. Each school was allowed to nominate its top performing male and female student-athletes from October. The award recipients were selected after a vote of the Association's Student-Athlete Recognition Committee.

More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org.