Utah Valley women's basketball

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Utah Valley University's Robyn Fairbanks was among 30 senior male and female NCAA college basketball players announced Friday as candidates for the 2008-09 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, presented annually to an NCAA Division I student-athlete in nine sports.

"What a great honor for her," said Utah Valley head coach Cathy Nixon. "We all know how good she has been on the court, but this really speaks to her character off the court as well. She is an exceptional person, and we are so proud of her and glad that she is being recognized in this manner."

Fairbanks is a two-time honorable mention All-American (WBCA and Associated Press) and the reigning two-time Independent Player of the Year. This season, the Raymond, Alberta, native is averaging 23.4 points and 9.7 rebounds while hitting .588 percent of her field goals.

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.