Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

For Immediate Release
March 26, 2008

Contact: Summer McKesson
Director of Communications
770.279.8027 ext. 112
smckesson@wbca.org

Rich Pingeton
State Farm
309.766.8866
rich.pingeton.sqvi@statefarm.com
WBCA and State Farm Select NCAA Division II
State Farm Coaches' All-America Team

ATLANTA - The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and State Farm announced today the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II State Farm Coaches’ All-America Basketball Team. This year’s team marks the first State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team, as Eastman Kodak held the previous sponsorship for 25 years. Selection committees in each of the eight WBCA geographical regions select ten of the top women’s basketball players in the nation to be honored. 

The members of the 2008 NCAA Division II State Farm Coaches’ All-America Basketball Team are as follows:

Name

Institution

Year

Pos.

Hgt.

Lauren Beckley

Shippensburg Univ. of Pa.

So.

F

5’11

Katie Cezat

Hillsdale College

Jr.

F

6’0

Jeana Hoffman

University of South Dakota

Sr.

G

5’7

Kierah Kimbrough

University of North Dakota

Jr.

F

6’0

Johannah Leedham

Franklin Pierce University

So.

F

5’11

Kate Lynch

Southern Conn. State Univ.

Sr.

F

5’10

Jennifer Rushing

Delta State University

Sr.

G

5’8

Michelle Stueve

Emporia State University

Sr.

F

6’2

Jahzinga Tracey

Indiana Univ. of Pennsylvania

Jr.

G

6’1

Celeste Trahan

Elizabeth City State University

Sr.

C

6’2

“It is a very difficult job to choose just 10 players from hundreds as the best in Division II, but these 10 student-athletes are definitely it,” said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. “Each one has had an amazing season and they are all truly deserving of this honor.”

“State Farm is truly honored to recognize these outstanding student-athletes for their wonderful and amazing achievements,” said Mark Gibson, assistant vice president of advertising for State Farm. “The State Farm Coaches All-America Team represents true excellence in the sport of women’s basketball and we are extremely proud to be associated with these remarkable student-athletes.”

The following have been recognized as State Farm Coaches’ All-America Team Honorable Mentions for NCAA Division II:

Name

Institution

Year

Pos.

Hgt.

Nikki Anthony

Anderson University

Sr.

C

6’2

Anna Atkinson

Wingate University

Jr.

G

5’6

Amanda Behnke

Concordia University, St. Paul

Sr.

C

6’2

Emily Brister

West Texas A&M University

Jr.

G

5’9

Molly Carter

Drury University

Sr.

G

5’6

Beth Christensen

Seattle Pacific University

Sr.

G

5’5

Rachel Folcik

Ferris State University

Sr.

F/C

6’1

Tiara Good

Lander University

Sr.

G

5’10

Amanda Grappe

Arkansas Tech University

Jr.

F

6’0

Angela Healy

Northern Kentucky University

Sr.

C

6’1

Jackie Hollands

Seattle Pacific University

Sr.

G

5’9

Britney Jordan

Texas A&M Univ. - Commerce

Jr.

G

5’8

Rebecca Kielpinski

University of Alaska Anchorage

Jr.

C

6’2

Ashley Langen

University of North Dakota

Sr.

C

6’2

Katie LaViolette

Concordia University, St. Paul

Sr.

G

5’9

Syretha Marble

North Ga. College & State Univ.

Jr.

G/F

5’9

Lakeisha Monroe

Mount Olive College

Sr.

G

5’5

Stephany Neptune

Tusculum College

So.

F

5’9

Carley Peterson

Valdosta State University

Sr.

G

5’9

Bethany Plasski

Assumption College   

Jr.

G

5’6

Amber Shelton

Southern Ill. Univ. Edwardsville

Sr.

F

5’10

Kelsey Simonds

Stonehill College

Jr.

C

6’3

Erika Souza

Southwest Baptist University

Sr.

G

5’6

Audriana Spencer

California State University, Chico

Sr.

G

5’9

Corkey Stiger

Washburn University

Sr.

G

5’9

Erika Stupinski

Stonehill College

Sr.

G

5’9

Sarah Van Horn

West Virginia Wesleyan

Jr.

F

5’11

Sheena Walton

University of Tampa

Sr.

C

6’1

Ashton Washington

University of West Alabama

Sr.

F

6’0

Vanessa Wilt

Cal State San Bernardino

Sr.

C

6’1

About State Farm
State Farm(r) insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 75 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.6 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No.22 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com(r) or in Canada statefarm.ca(tm).

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For additional information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.

--WBCA--