June 18, 2007

CANYON, Texas - Three Lady Buffs were recognized as Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars in a recent issue of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. Sophomore guards Emily Brister and Courtney Lee represented the women's basketball team--Brister was named to the first team and Lee was named honorable mention--while junior women's cross country runner Jisel Bailon earned second team honors.

Brister, a secondary Spanish education major, earned a cumulative GPA of 3.83 in her first three semesters, including a 4.00 GPA in the Fall 2006 semester. She earned a host of on-court accolades this season, including first-team All-American (by the College Sports Information Directors of America), honorable mention All-American (by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association), 2006-07 Daktronics South Central Region Player of the Year, Lone Star Conference South Division Player of the Year (for the second consecutive season), and first team All-Conference.

Lee earned a cumulative 3.34 GPA through the Fall 2006 semester while studying sports and exercise science. She scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed six rebounds (four offensive) to help the Lady Buffs win their NCAA South Central Regional quarterfinal game. Lee started in all but three games and was third on the team in both scoring (329, 10.0 avg) and rebounding (148, 4.5 avg).

Bailon is majoring in biology and earned a cumulative GPA of 3.71 through the first semester of her junior year. She was named to the Division II All-Academic Women's Cross Country team. Bailon finished 38th during the 6K event in the NCAA South Central Regional race and 17th during the LSC Championships. Additionally, she recorded two first place finishes and one second place finish this past season.

The Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholars Award is an annual recognition of student athletes who exhibit academic excellence and community activism in addition to their athletic achievements. To be included, students must compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.