Jan. 21, 2009
ATLANTA - The State Farm Wade Trophy Committee elected to have five student-athletes to the 2008-09 State Farm Wade Trophy Watch List, and Illinois State senior guard Kristi Cirone was among that group, as announced by the committee Wednesday. She is the first-ever Redbird to be placed on the prestigious list. The five student-athletes become part of the 30-player pool of award candidates, which includes 25 selected during the preseason.
Cirone has scored in double-figures in 15 games this season, including 10 games with at least 20 points. The WBCA December Player of the Month honorable mention selection leads the Redbirds in scoring, three-pointers, free throw percentage, assists and steals. The two-time MVC Player of the Week and three-time Prairie Farms/MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week scored a career-high 35 points against Robert Morris and had a string of six-consecutive 20-point games earlier this year, which was tied for the longest streak in school history. This season, Cirone moved into second-place at Illinois State in career scoring, three-point field goals and assists.
Rachel Allison (Baylor), Shalee Lehning (Kansas State), Deirdre Naughton (DePaul) and Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue) were also added to the Watch List, along with Cirone.
The renowned Wade Watch List for The State Farm Wade Trophy is comprised of student-athletes who are members of an NCAA Division I institution and are selected based on the following criteria: game and season statistics, leadership, character, effect on their team and overall playing ability.
The Wade Trophy Coalition was established in June 2000 when the WBCA partnered with The National Association of Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS). For the past nine years, the two have worked together to present The State Farm Wade Trophy Player of the Year Award. A committee comprised of coaches, administration and media from across the United States selects the winner.
