Feb. 8, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State sophomore point guard Kristi Cirone, a Fall 2006 AFNI honor roll member and one-time Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week, collected another academic accolade Thursday when she was named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District 5 second team.
Cirone, who carries a 3.46 grade-point-average in ISU's exercise science curriculum, has recorded a stellar sophomore campaign, leading the Valley in scoring in conference play (20.3 ppg) while also pacing the league in assists (6.09 apg). Cirone has compiled three double-doubles (points-assists) on the season, and scored 20 or more points in 18 individual games.
Cirone, a two-time MVC Player of the Week this season, has also appeared among the NCAA leaders in assists per game all season, and currently ranks 10th in the nation in the category. Heading into this week's Valley slate, her 2.2 assist/turnover ratio is the second-best mark in the league.
Cirone compiled a 3.57 GPA in the Fall 2006 semester, and was named to the AFNI honor roll for the third time in her career. The reigning Valley Newcomer of the Year also claimed honor roll plaudits in both the Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 academic terms.
"This award is humbling, because it represents how much work needs to be put in both in the classroom and on the court," said Cirone. "I've always prided myself on performing both academically and athletically, and it's nice to see that people recognize and honor that balance."
Indiana State's Rachel Maenpaa and Evansville's Rebekah Parker were also District 5 second-team honorees.
The Redbirds will jump back into Valley action this weekend, when they visit Missouri State (Feb. 10) and Wichita State (Feb. 12) in the second game of the season series against both teams.
