March 12, 2008

Yankova named Jayhawk East Freshman of the Year

Averaging 14 points and four rebounds per game, Cowley College’s Elena Yankova was named the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division Women’s Freshman of the Year on Wednesday.

Yankova was also named to the All-Conference Team and was an honorable mention All-Region VI selection.

“I am really happy for Elena being named the Freshman of the Year and also being the only freshman on the all-conference team,” Cowley head coach Todd Clark said.

Lady Tiger freshmen Gabbie Curtis (12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds) and Bebe Holloway (7.7 points, 7.7 rebounds) received honorable mention all-conference recognition.

“I am glad they got recognized for the years they had and the things they did for us,” Clark said.

Cowley finished third in the Jayhawk East with a record of 14-4 and ended the year with an overall record of 21-12.

Players were nominated by their coaches and then voted on by opposing coaches, who did not vote for their own players, in their respective divisions.

EASTERN DIVISION

• COACH OF THE YEAR — Tony Turner, Independence
• MOST VALUABLE PLAYER — Dana Olsen, Labette
• FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR — Elena Yankova, Cowley
• ALL CONFERENCE TEAM
  Dana Olsen, Labette; Meghan Waggner, Johnson County; Jolene Tamboue, Independence; Elena Yankova, Cowley; Ashley Gladden, Independence; Brittany Brown, Labette; Lacie Ward, Coffeyville.
• SECOND TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
  Taja Green, Coffeyville; Leondra Doomes-Stephens, Fort Scott; Brittney Slifer, Johnson County; VaShunta Johnston, Kansas City; Brittany Graham, Kansas City; Brittany Johnson, Allen County.
• HONORABLE MENTION ALL CONFERENCE
  Gabbie Curtis, Cowley; Michaela Berg, Highland; Amy Baley, Highland; Shirolacille (Bebe) Holloway, Cowley; Fila Smith, Neosho; Anne Borgertpoepping, Kansas City.