Feb. 27, 2007
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
PARK RIDGE, IL – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2007 All-Big Ten women’s basketball teams Tuesday, and it included Iowa sophomores Wendy Ausdemore, Megan Skouby and Kristi Smith.
Smith was named to the all-Big Ten third team by the coaches and media. Ausdemore was third team all-conference by the coaches, honorable mention by the media and is Iowa’s women’s basketball nominee for the Sportsmanship Award. Skouby earned honorable mention recognition by the coaches and media.
“I’m extremely proud of Wendy, Kristi and Megan to be named to the all-conference teams today,” said Head Coach Lisa Bluder. “I think it’s tremendous that we had three sophomores honored. We have more youth than anybody in the Big Ten that garnered recognition.”
Smith directs an Iowa offense that ranks third in Big Ten scoring offense and 22nd nationally in assists. The native of Thornton, CO, ranks high in nine Big Ten statistical categories, including first in 3-point field goal percentage (.517), fourth in assists (4.17) and 10th in scoring (15.2) and 3-pointers made (1.55). Smith became the first Iowa underclassman, and fourth player overall, to amass over 375 points and 100 assists in a single-season. The sophomore posted team highs in steals 16 times, assists 13 times and scoring 12 times this season. Her 121 assists rank third-best in a single-season by an Iowa sophomore. Smith, who was named to the WBCA Classic all-Tournament team in November, netted 20 points or more a team-best seven times her sophomore campaign. She sank 13 triples in Iowa’s first 14 games, but since has made 32 in only 50 (.640) attempts.
Ausdemore averaged 10.6 points during non-conference competition, but raised her level of her play the last two months. The 6-2 forward led Iowa and ranked fifth in league scoring (15.2), during the 16-game conference schedule. Additionally, she ranked first in league free throw percentage, missing only one attempt (.975, 39-40), second in 3-point field goal percentage (.519) and 3-pointers made (2.5) and seventh in field goal percentage (.494) during Big Ten action. Her 97.5 percent free throw percentage ranks second-best in Big Ten single-season history. Ausdemore sank 62 triples in 2006-07, the most ever by a Hawkeye sophomore. Furthermore, she ranks sixth in the country in overall 3-point accuracy (.431, 62-144). Ausdemore, who was honored on the WBCA Classic and Hawkeye Challenge all-Tournament teams, broke a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record by an Iowa player when she drained six 3-pointers in Iowa’s regular season finale vs. Wisconsin on Feb. 25. The native of Neola, IA, also excels in the classroom, as she earned Academic all-District second team honors on Feb. 8.
Ausdemore joins 10 other honorees from each of the league’s 11 women’s basketball squads for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Despite suffering an injury in early February, Skouby earned honorable mention all-Big Ten accolades. The 6-6 center ranks second in team scoring (13.5), first in blocks (36) and third in rebounding (4.6). She ranks fourth in Big Ten free throw percentage (.851), seventh in blocks (1.44) and 12th in scoring (13.5) and field goal percentage (.465). Skouby was named Most Valuable Player of the WBCA Classic and Hawkeye Challenge in November. The native of Mentor, OH, posted team highs in blocks 17 times, scoring six times and steals four times.
Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport was named the Big Ten Player of the Year by both the media and coaches, becoming the first three-time winner in the 25-year history of the sport. Michigan State’s Allyssa DeHaan was recognized as Freshman of the Year by both the media and coaches. Both voting panels recognized Ohio State’s Jim Foster as Coach of the Year.
Eighth-seeded Iowa (14-15, 6-10) opens Big Ten Tournament competition when it plays ninth-seeded Indiana (17-12, 6-10) Thursday at approximately 7 pm. (CST) at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The game will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
2006-07 All-Big Ten Women’s Basketball Team
As Selected by the Coaches
First Team
JESSICA DAVENPORT, Ohio State
KATIE GEARLDS, Purdue
Jolene Anderson, Wisconsin
Amanda Brown, Penn State
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, Purdue
Second Team*
Lori Bjork, Illinois
Allyssa DeHaan, Michigan State
Emily Fox, Minnesota
Brandie Hoskins, Ohio State
Victoria Lucas-Perry, Michigan State
Rene Haynes, Michigan State
Third Team
Wendy Ausdemore, Iowa
Kristi Smith, Iowa
Marscilla Packer, Ohio State
Sarah McKay, Indiana
* – Six players named due to tie
HONORABLE MENTION: Jenna Smith, ILLINOIS; Megan Skouby, IOWA; Kelly Roysland, MINNESOTA, A.J. Glasauer, NORTHWESTERN; Star Allen, OHIO STATE; Kamela Gissendanner and Tyra Grant, PENN STATE; Erin Lawless, PURDUE; Janese Banks, WISCONSIN
COACHES’ ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM: Jenna Smith, ILLINOIS; Alyssa DeHaan, MICHIGAN STATE; Brittany McCoy, MINNESOTA; Tyra Grant, PENN STATE; FahKara Malone, PURDUE
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jessica Davenport, Ohio State
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lindsay Wisdom Hylton, Purdue
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Alyssa DeHaan, Michigan State
SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jamie Braun, Indiana
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jim Foster, Ohio State
2006-07 All-Big Ten Women’s Basketball Team
As Selected by the Media
First Team
JESSICA DAVENPORT, Ohio State
Brandie Hoskins, Ohio State
Katie Gearlds, Purdue
Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, Purdue
Jolene Anderson, Wisconsin
Second Team
Lori Bjork, Illinois
Star Allen, Ohio State
Amanda Brown, Penn State
Victoria Lucas-Perry, Michigan State
Allyssa DeHaan, Michigan State
Third Team
Kristi Smith, Iowa
Rene Haynes, Michigan State
Emily Fox, Minnesota
Kelly Roysland, Minnesota
Marscilla Packer, Ohio State
HONORABLE MENTION: Jenna Smith, ILLINOIS; Sarah McCay, INDIANA; Wendy Ausdemore and Megan Skouby, IOWA; Aisha Jefferson, MICHIGAN STATE; A.J. Glasauer, NORTHWESTERN; Kamela Gissendanner, PENN STATE; Erin Lawless, PURDUE; Janese Banks, WISCONSIN
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jessica Davenport, Ohio State FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Allyssa DeHaan, Michigan State COACH OF THE YEAR: Jim Foster, Ohio State
UNAMINOUS SELECTIONS IN ALL CAPS