Venne Adds Academic All-America
SELINSGROVE, (Pa.) - Susquehanna University senior power forward Kristen Venne (Shillington/Governor Mifflin H.S.) is a GTE College Division First Team Women's Basketball Academic All-American, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (Co-SIDA). The team was announced today, while Venne received the Josten's Trophy as the Division III Women's Basketball Outstanding Athlete of the Year in Salem, Va.
To be nominated for Academic All-American student athletes must be starters or significant reserves who are at least sophomores academically with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher (out of a 4.0 scale). The College Division Team includes student athletes from all NCAA Division II and III institutions, as well as, NAIA schools.
Venne was also selected to the First Team Selection All-Mid-Atlantic Region by the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA). By being selected to the first-team, she became eligible to be chosen for the NCAA Division III Kodak All-American Team which is to be released later this week.
"Kristen did things that went beyond the realm of normal Division III players this season. You think you know your players and what they can do, but Kristen had me shake my head on very many occasions throughout her career, but particularly this year," said 12th-year Susquehanna women's head coach Mark Hribar. "She was an intense player on the basketball court all four years, and I know she was equally as intense about her academics and other activities. We are truly proud of her."
A two-year All-American who recently became a MAC Commonwealth League First Team All-Star for the fourth time in her four-year career, the 5-9 Venne earns Academic All-American honors for the first time in her career. She led her team into the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time since 1993 before finishing 17-10. She finished the season leading the team in both scoring (21.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg) - ranking second in the MAC and eighth in Division III in scoring, and fifth in the conference in rebounding. She was also second on the team, third in the MAC and 19th in Division III field goal percentage (57.3%, 219 of 382). Her 579 points and scoring average were the second best in a season at Susquehanna (Records: 586 points, Deb Yeasted, 1984-85; 29.8 avg., Lyn Jones, 1980-81).
She scored in double figures in each of her final 41 games, and 98 times in her 100 collegiate contests, while finishing second in Susquehanna women's history in career scoring (1,929 points) and third in rebounding (894). She tied for first in MAC modern history (since 1993-94) in career scoring average (19.3 ppg - tying Jarra Rusnock, Albright, 1994-98), is third in both field goal percentage (54.6%) and rebounds (8.9 per game), and fourth in free throw percentage (77.0%).
Along the way this season, Venne made the Division III Online Team of the Week five times and earned MAC Commonwealth League honors eight times - four times as Player of the Week. She was also the Player of the Month for February by The Women's DIII News, and was the Columbus Multimedia Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Week four times. She was also named Most Valuable Player of the Days Inn Gettysburg Invitational in January, and made the All-Tourmament Teams at two other events this season.
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