Oct. 16, 2008

2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Finalists

VOTE FOR JENAE! - Gibbens Award Bio

FULLERTON, CA - Cal State Fullerton senior defender Jenae Gibbens has been named as one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award it was announced on Thursday.

The names will be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote beginning Oct. 16 and concluding Nov. 19. Votes from coaches and media will be coupled with fan balloting to determine the recipient of the award.

Votes can be cast online at www.seniorclassaward.com and the winners will be announced during the 2008 Women's College Cup scheduled for Dec. 5-7 in Cary, N.C.

"Lowe's is incredibly proud to announce the 2008 finalist class for men's and women's soccer," said Bob Gfeller, Lowe's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising. "These 20 student-athletes represent all that is great about collegiate athletics. Each is to be admired for their commitment and dedication not only to soccer, but to the classroom and their community."

Finalists were selected from a list of 30 candidates in each division, based on personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete. Each finalist displays numerous accomplishments across all four award pillars: classroom, community, character, and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages those leaders to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact on their circle of influence.

This prestigious awards program was launched by Lowe's, an Official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, during the 2001-02 basketball season, added six additional sports in 2007 (including soccer), and has expanded this year to include NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision seniors.

The 2008 women's finalists are: Yael Averbuch (University of North Carolina), Stefanie Baduria (Loyola Marymount University), Lizzie Barnes (United States Naval Academy), Brittany Bock (University of Notre Dame), Jenae Gibbens (Cal State Fullerton), Candace Gonzales (Georgia State University), Kerri Hanks (University of Notre Dame), Molly Johnson (Clemson University), Christie McDonald (Duke University) and Yolanda Odenyo (Oklahoma State University).