Feb. 23, 2012

TOWSON, Md. --- Junior guard Caroline Durbin has been named a first-team Capital One Academic All-American, as announced by CoSIDA on Thursday, Feb. 23. It is the first such honor for Durbin, and the first academic All-American honor for the Lobos in program history.

A business major with concentration in finance and accounting, Durbin has the highest grade point average on the list of 15 recipients with a 4.16. She is the only Mountain West affiliate to earn All-American honors and boasts the only first-team GPA above a 4.0.

"I'm very surprised and honored, it is an amazing feeling to see your hard work in the classroom recognized on such a large scale," Durbin said. "This is a testament to the support that I've gotten from my teammates, coaches and my academic advisor.

"It shows that the basketball program at New Mexico is focused on academics as well as athletics."

Currently, Durbin is averaging 15.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for New Mexico. She leads the Mountain West Conference in three-point field goal percentage (53.5) and ranks second in scoring. The Austin, Tex. native is also fourth in the conference in field goal percentage (47.6) and third in minutes played (34.1).

She has scored in double figures in 23-26 games and has led the Lobos offensively in 17 contests. Durbin also has six 20-point performances to her credit this season, including a 29-point effort to set a new career high against Wyoming on Jan. 14. She also earned all-tournament honors following her efforts in the Lobos' annual Thanksgiving Tournament.

"This is such a tremendous honor for Caroline, one that she has earned," head coach Yvonne Sanchez said. "She is so focused on everything she does, and is such a perfectionist both on and off the basketball court.

"We are extremely proud of Caroline, as she has always represented the University of New Mexico with honor, integrity and class." 

Following is a comprehensive list of the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America award winners:

 

FIRST TEAM

Name                                    School                               Yr.      Hometown                    GPA     Major

Elena Delle Donne         Delaware                     Jr.     Wilmington, Del.       3.60   Early Childhood Educ.

Roxana Button              Houston                      Sr.     Coppell, Texas         3.87   Psychology

Caroline Durbin             New Mexico                 Jr.     Austin, Texas            4.16   Business, Finance & Accounting

Amanda Johnson           Oregon                        Gr.     Santa Rosa, Calif.   3.97   Counseling, Psych. & Human Ser.

Glory Johnson                Tennessee                   Gr.     Knoxville, Tenn.      3.60   Master's (Communication & Info.)

 

SECOND TEAM

Name                                          School                               Yr.     Hometown                       GPA      Major

Lacey Boshe                       Missouri State             Sr.     Marshfield, Mo.          4.00    Cell & Molecular Biology

Ashley Eide                        South Dakota State      Jr.     Sioux Falls, S.D.         4.00    Health, Phys.Edu. & Recreation

Marissa Kastanek                North Carolina State     Jr.     Lincoln, Neb.              4.00    Psychology

Brittany Rayburn                  Purdue                        Sr.     West Lafayette, Ind.  3.71   Animal Science (Pre-Vet)

Rachel Semansky                Montana State             Jr.     Highwood, Mont.         3.95   Elementary Education

Julie Wojta                          Wisconsin-Green Bay   Sr.     Francis Creek, Wis.     3.58   Business Admin., Accounting

 

THIRD TEAM

Name                                           School                               Yr.     Hometown                   GPA     Major

Janae Burich                       North Dakota State      Jr.     Roseville, Minn.        4.00   Marketing

Kody Burke                         North Carolina State     So.    Riverside, Calif.        3.95   Management

Alyssa Charlston                 Idaho                          So.    Sammamish, Wash.  4.00   Broadcasting & Digital Media

Jericka Jenkins                    Hampton                     Sr.     Lancaster, Texas       3.71   Criminology, Criminal Justice

Academic All-American of the Year:  Elena Delle Donne, Delaware

(1)   Capital One Academic All-America ® first team in 2010-11

(2)   Capital One Academic All-America ® second team in 2009-10

The Lobos, now 9-17 on the season and 3-9 in MW play, will host their last home game of 2012 on Saturday, Feb. 25 against TCU. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.

Saturday's contest also marks New Mexico's annual Play 4 Kay game for breast cancer awareness, sponsored by UNM Hospitals. Fans in attendance who are wearing pink will receive a discounted $2 ticket, valid in all bench seating.

Additionally, the team will be sporting pink uniforms to show its support for the cause. The jerseys will be auctioned off individually along the north concourse of The Pit over the course of the game. All proceeds will benefit the Cancer Center at UNMH.

Fans can also show their support for breast cancer awareness by donating to the Kay Yow Fund for Cancer Research, in partnership with the V Foundation and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Donations can be made at the following link: http://www.play4kay.org/newmexicolobos

Lobos Women's Basketball

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