KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- NSCAA All-American Kelsey Carpenter was named one of 20 candidates for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, announced Monday, Sept. 24.
The third-year Longhorn exemplifies the requirements of the LOWE's Senior CLASS Award -- classroom, character, community and competition -- as she has earned numerous national academic and athletic awards and served as a leader for The University of Texas community.
Entering the fall of 2007, Carpenter carries a 3.5 GPA in sport management, and added a minor in communication sciences and disorders after her interest peaked during a UT sign language course.
The senior forward's coaches and teammates describe her as passionate and competitive during the games, and welcoming, open-minded and strong-willed off the field. The 2007 UT soccer team captain is a mixture of a vocal leader, and someone who leads by example.
In the community, Carpenter's commitment to her team and The University extend to the greater Austin area as she has worked in two venues -- the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) and three local Austin churches. Her service at the TSD started after her first sign language class. Volunteer hours required to complete the course gave her the opportunity to experience the culture, which she fell in love with. Carpenter combined her passion for her Christian faith with the opportunity, and aided the pastor at Austin's Jesus Lutheran Church during programs and special events.
On the pitch, Carpenter is one of the most decorated Texas Soccer student-athletes in its 14-year history. She is the fifth NSCAA All-American and third person to earn second team honors in school history. The 2007 U.S. Under-21 National Team standout helped the youth national team win the 2007 Nordic Cup in July. The two-time NSCAA All-Central Region selection has led or shared the lead for UT's scoring offense for the last three years. On the conference level, the two-time All-Big 12 selection was tabbed the 2006 Big 12 Tournament Most Valuable Performer after she scored in each of the three matches leading up to UT's first Big 12 Soccer Tournament Championship. The three-year letterwinner holds the UT school record in game-winning goals, which she set as a junior and is in the top five of six offensive categories -- both individual and career. During Carpenter's tenure, UT has advanced to the NCAA Third Round (round of 16) twice and was selected as a No. 1 national seed in 2006.
From the list of 20 student-athletes in each sport, a national media committee will select 10 finalists in the men and women's divisions in October for the 2007 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Those ten names will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote beginning October 16 and concluding November 21. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches, media and sponsors to determine the recipient of the award. Winners will be announced during the NCAA Soccer Championships from Friday, Dec. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 9 in College Station for women.
An acronym for "Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School," the award was launched during the 2001-02 season in response to the trend of college basketball players leaving college early to turn professional. The award was conceived by sportscaster Dick Enberg, who continues to serve as honorary chairman, and has recognized winners in men's and women's basketball for six years.
Lowe's extended the award in the spring of 2007 to include four other NCAA sports: baseball, softball, men's hockey and men's lacrosse. With the addition of men's and women's soccer in fall 2007, a total of eight sports are now included in the awards program.
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