Clare-Kearney Among NCAA Woman of the Year Semifinalists

BATON ROUGE — Former LSU gymnast Ashleigh Clare-Kearney was one of 30 semifinalists for the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year award, the NCAA announced.
 
Clare-Kearney, a senior in 2009, was selected as the only nominee from the Southeastern Conference.
 
“What Ashleigh has done in her career at LSU has been outstanding, and I am excited to see her named as a semifinalist for this award,” LSU head coach D-D Breaux said. “Ashleigh worked hard her senior year to be the best not only in the gym but also in the classroom and the community, and I am proud of what she was able to accomplish.” 
 
A committee of representatives from NCAA member institutions selected from a pool of 132 nominees the 30 semifinalists, which includes 10 student-athletes each from Divisions I, II and III.
 
Nine finalists will be chosen in September ? three from each division ? and the national winner will be announced Oct. 18 at the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year awards dinner in Indianapolis, Ind.
 
Clare-Kearney capped her LSU career by claiming two individual national titles on vault and floor at the NCAA Championships on April 18, becoming the first LSU gymnast to win two titles, and she also led the Tigers to a second-straight Super Six appearance.
 
In addition, Clare-Kearney was a First-Team All-American on vault, bars and floor in 2009, and she was also named the 2009 Central Region Gymnast of the Year.
 
Clare-Kearney served as Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president in 2008-09 for LSU, and she will enter her second year of graduate school in the fall after completing her first year with a 3.89 grade point average.
 
For her strong performance in the classroom Clare-Kearney earned NACGC/W Scholastic All-America honors in 2008 and 2009.
 
Clare-Kearney was also named to the 2008 and 2009 SEC Community Service Team for her efforts in the Baton Rouge community.
 
The NCAA Woman of the Year award honors senior women student-athletes who have excelled in the areas of academic achievement, athletics, service and leadership.