Feb. 4, 2009
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt senior Christina Wirth has been selected as one of only 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for women’s basketball. Wirth entered her senior campaign as a preseason All-American candidate and was one of only two unanimous selections for the coaches’ preseason first-team All-Southeastern Conference team.
The Mesa, Ariz., native currently ranks third in the SEC in scoring (14.3), fifth in made 3-pointers (43), seventh in field goal percentage (.433) and ninth in minutes (31.2). Wirth continues to climb in the school’s all-time scoring total with 1,329 career points, ranking 17th in school history. Prior to the 2008-09 season, Wirth was tabbed as a candidate for the John R. Wooden Award and Naismith Early Watch List.
Off the court, Wirth has volunteered her time in the Nashville community, along with other service projects by participating in the annual Buddy Walk, which raises awareness for Down syndrome and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The 6-1 forward also volunteers her time at the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and mentors young girls at Mercy Ministries, a Christian-based home. In addition, Wirth has sponsored a child in Zambia and serves at a soup kitchen in her home state of Arizona.
Lowe’s, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, will present the winners with trophies during the weekends of the respective NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four.
The annual award is based on criteria focusing on the “Four C’s” of classroom, character, community and competition. The award winners will be selected by national balloting of head basketball coaches, national media and college basketball fans.
The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as Honorary Chairman. It was inspired by the remarkable story of former Duke University basketball player Shane Battier, who could have been an NBA lottery pick but returned to college for his senior season and led the Blue Devils to the National Championship in 2001.
The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award is in its eighth year for men’s and women’s basketball. Recipients of the women’s award include Sue Bird of Connecticut (2002), LaToya Thomas of Mississippi State (2003), Alana Beard of Duke (2004), Kendra Wecker of Kansas State (2005), Seimone Augustus of LSU (2006), Alison Bales of Duke (2007) and Candice Wiggins of Stanford (2008).
For the first time in history of the award, fans will be able to vote via text or online at www.seniorclassaward.com from Feb. 4 through March 22, 2009.
2008-09 Women’s Basketball Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Finalists
Name Pos. School Conference
Jada Frazier G Univ. of New Orleans Sun Belt
Rachel Galligan F Eastern Illinois Ohio Valley
Shalee Lehning G Kansas State Big 12
Renee Montgomery G Connecticut Big East
Courtney Paris C Oklahoma Big 12
Koren Schram G Dartmouth Ivy
Takia Starks G Texas A&M Big 12
Kristi Toliver G Maryland ACC
Abby Waner G Duke ACC
Christina Wirth F Vanderbilt SEC
