March 6, 2008
(release courtesy of Summer McKesson, WBCA Director of Communications)

ATLANTA . . . The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has selected George Washington University's Sarah-Jo Lawrence and Luther College's Ashley TeKippe as the 2008 WBCA Scholarship Award winners.

These awards are presented annually to two women's basketball players in any of the five WBCA collegiate divisions (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and Junior College/Community College) who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the sport of women's basketball and to academic excellence. The scholarships enable deserving student-athletes to complete their undergraduate degrees or to begin work on advanced degrees. Each award is in the amount of $1,000.

"These scholarships recognize those who excel both on and off the court, and Sarah-Jo and Ashley do just that," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "I am pleased to present these awards to Sarah-Jo and Ashley and wish them the brightest future."

Lawrence, a senior guard, has started every game this season for the No. 12 George Washington University Colonials. A member of George Washington's 1,000-point club, she is among the Atlantic 10 Conference leaders in scoring, assists, steals and assist-to-turnover ratio. Lawrence was a Second Team All-Atlantic 10 selection last season and was named the Atlantic 10 Sixth Player of the Year as a sophomore. An active participant in Athletes in Action, she traveled to Taiwan in the summer of 2007 as part of the United States Jones Cup team, where she won a bronze medal.

Most recently, Lawrence earned distinction as a member of ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-America, Third Team after she had earned All-District First Team honors for the second consecutive year. A double major in communications and sociology, she has maintained an outstanding 3.85 grade point average with numerous community service activities to supplement her academic achievements. The Rhoadesville, Va., native is also a candidate for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award this year, awarded to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I women's basketball.

TeKippe, a senior forward, is the all-time blocked shots leader for the Luther College Norse. The 6-2 post player earned First Team All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors this season, as she led the Norse in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots. TeKippe, who also ranks fourth all-time in rebounds at Luther, earned second-team honors last season. Meanwhile, her 8.4 rebounds per game this season led the league.

TeKippe, a native of Decorah, Iowa, has maintained a 3.97 grade point average while majoring in biology and is a three-time Academic All-Conference award winner. An aspiring orthopedic surgeon, TeKippe will attend the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa in the fall. She is also active in a number of campus and community organizations, including the Luther College Honor Council, Decorah PALS mentoring program, Health Science Club and Student-Athlete Advisory Council.

Lawrence and TeKippe will be formally presented their awards during the WBCA Awards luncheon presented by State Farm and Jostens on Tuesday, April 8, at Noon (ET) in the Marriott Waterside's Grand Ballroom. The luncheon is part of the 2008 WBCA National Convention and is held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Tampa Bay, Fla.

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.

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