Waner Selected A Candidate For The Lowe?s Senior CLASS Award

DURHAM, N.C. ? Duke senior women's basketball standout Abby Waner has been selected one of 30 candidates for the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, presented annually to an NCAA Division I student-athlete in nine sports.

Based on criteria focusing on the “Four C's” of classroom, character, community and competition, the award winners will be selected by national balloting of head basketball coaches, national media and college basketball fans. Lowe's, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, will present the winners with trophies during the weekend of the NCAA Final Four.

Waner, a native of Highlands Ranch, Colo., has averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 steals leading eighth-ranked Duke to a 9-1 overall record on the season. The 5-11 senior guard is coming off scoring five straight points to close out regulation at Southern California and send the game into overtime. Waner spearheaded a comeback which saw the Blue Devils trail by 17 points with 11 minutes remaining.

“Abby is an incredible competitor who is not afraid to lead on and off the court,” said Duke Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie. “She sets an incredible example of work ethic, focus and commitment to being an outstanding student-athlete. Her character, integrity and her willingness to do whatever it takes is second to none. She is a fantastic candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.”

Over her career, Waner has registered 183 three-pointers and 564 three-pointers attempted, which rank second and first, respectively, on Duke's career lists. Her 355 assists is ninth, 255 steals is fourth and her 1,212 points is 19th on the Blue Devil career charts. Waner is a two-time Naismith Candidate for National Player of the Year and two-time All-ACC selection.

A stellar student-athlete, Waner has been named ESPN The Magazine All-District III on two occasions, while also notching All-ACC Academic team and ACC Honor Roll honors.

A full list of the candidates are -- Demetress Adams (University of South Carolina), Nnenna Akotaobi (University of Denver), Kristi Cirone (Illinois State University), Dellena Criner (University of Nevada), Krystal Ellis (Marquette University), Robyn Fairbanks (Utah Valley University), Megan Frazee (Liberty University), Jada Frazier (University of New Orleans), Rachel Galligan (Eastern Illinois University), Amber Guffey (Murray State University), Taylor Hardeman (Oklahoma State University), Brooke Johnson (Western Carolina University), Kelly Krumwiede (Bradley University), Shalee Lehning (Kansas State University), Kristi Little (Duquesne University), Rashanda McCants (University of North Carolina), Renee Montgomery (University of Connecticut), Amanda Nisleit (Iowa State University), Courtney Paris (University of Oklahoma), Jessica Pike (Oakland University), Amy Rosenkrantz (University of Vermont), Jami Schaefer (Gonzaga University), Lauren Schober (Bucknell University), Koren Schram (Dartmouth College), Takia Starks (Texas A&M University), Kristi Toliver (University of Maryland), Abby Waner (Duke University), Morgan Warburton (University of Utah), Christina Wirth (Vanderbilt University), Shavonte Zellous (University of Pittsburgh).

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award was launched during the 2001-02 season to honor the attributes of college basketball seniors who remain committed to their university and pursue the many rewards that a senior season and complete college education brings.

From the list of 30 nominees, a national media committee will select 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in February 2009. Those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote. In addition to voting by Division I head basketball coaches and national media, college basketball fans will also be able to submit ballots by text voting or on-line at www.seniorclassaward.com.

The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman. It was inspired by the remarkable story of former Duke University basketball player Shane Battier, who could have been an NBA lottery pick but returned to college for his senior season and led the Blue Devils to the National Championship in 2001.

The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award is in its eighth year for men's and women's basketball.

Previous winners of the women's award include Sue Bird of Connecticut (2002), LaToya Thomas of Mississippi State (2003), Alana Beard of Duke (2004), Kendra Wecker of Kansas State (2005), Seimone Augustus of LSU (2006), Alison Bales of Duke (2007) and Candice Wiggins of Stanford (2008).

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