Big Ten names Douglas 2001 player of the year

By Anne McLaren
Assistant Sports Editor

Senior Katie Douglas was named the Big Ten player of the year by the coaches and the media Tuesday.

Douglas, a 6-foot-1 guard/forward, was a unanimous selection by both panels and was also the preseason pick for player of the year in the conference. Last season, Douglas was the player of the year by the media while Penn State’s Helen Darling was named by the coaches.

Douglas is the third player in Big Ten history to be named player of the year twice and the first in over a decade.

"I’m very happy for and proud of Katie," Purdue coach Kristy Curry said in a release. "What she means to this team can’t really be explained by just looking at her stats, and I think people recognize that. She is our leader in so many different ways. And she is, without a doubt, the best player in this conference."

On the season Douglas is averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.7 steals per game, despite missing action due to tendinitis in her knees, a concussion and a high ankle sprain. On Thursday, Douglas scored a season-high 25 points in a loss at No. 19 Penn State.

Also, Douglas, senior center Camille Cooper and men's basketball player Carson Cunningham have been selected as 2001 Verizon Academic All-District Five by the College Sports Information Directors of America for the second straight year.

Douglas, an Indianapolis native, is carrying a 3.50 grade point average in public relations and is a Naismith Award finalist and national player of the year candidate.

Cooper, who hails from Georgetown, Ky., is carrying a 3.78 GPA in political science. "Coop" is an All-America candidate who was voted preseason third team All-American by Athlon Sports and Women's Basketball Journal.

Cunningham, a point guard from Ogden Dunes, Ind., is averaging 9.2 points this season. He graduated in May 2000 with a 3.65 GPA in history and is now pursuing his master's degree. Cunningham is a 2000 Third Team Verizon Academic All-American.

Cooper was also named to the first team by both the media and coaches. Cooper is shooting a Big Ten-leading 62 percent from floor while scoring 14.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game.

Douglas was the only unanimous selection to both first teams as well. Rounding out the first teams are Indiana’s Jill Chapman (media), Iowa’s Cara Consuegra (coaches), Illinois’ Allison Curtin (coaches), Penn State’s Kelly Mazzante (both), Iowa’s Lindsey Meder (both), Wisconsin’s Tamara Moore (media), Iowa’s Randi Peterson (media), Wisconsin’s Jessie Stomski (both) and Penn State’s Maren Walseth (coaches).

Purdue guard Kelly Komara, a junior, is an honorable mention selection by both the media and the coaches. Komara averages 9.2 points and 2.5 assists per game. Freshman Shalicia Hurns was given an honorable mention by the media. Hurns averages 9.2 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game.

Rounding out the second teams are Heather Cassady, Courtney Coleman, Jamie Lewis, Lisa Shepherd and LaTonya Sims. Honorable mentions go to Iveta Marcauskaite and Anne O’Neil, LeeAnn Bies, Alayne Ingram, Anne Thorius, Julie Pagel, Lindsey Whalen, Emily Butler and Nina Smith.

Mazzante was named the freshman of the year by both the media and coaches while Moore was named the defensive player of the year by both the media and coaches.

The coach of the year is Iowa’s Lisa Bluder, named by both the media and the coaches. Bluder is in her first season with the Hawkeyes. After going 5-5 in the non-conference season and 4-3 through its first seven games, Iowa won eight of its last nine to finish in a tie for second place in the conference standings. Based on tiebreakers, Iowa received the No. 2 seed for this weekend’s Big Ten Tournament. Last season the Hawkeyes were the No. 7 seed.

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

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