Gustafson Becomes Falcons' Second Women's Basketball All-American
July 28, 2004

SEATTLE (July 28) – Valerie Gustafson became only the second All-American in the history of Seattle Pacific University women’s basketball by being named to the Daktronics third team selection of the top players in NCAA Division II.

Valerie Gustafson became only the second All-American in the history of Seattle Pacific University women’s basketball by being named to the Daktronics third team.

Gustafson (Sr., 6-0, Olympia, Wa.), who was earlier voted the player of the year in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and the SPU athlete of the year, becomes the school’s first women’s basketball All-American since Linda Johnson in 1987. Seattle Pacific went 30-1 last season, winning the GNAC and West Regional and earning a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight.

Gustafson was the team’s top scorer (15.2) and led the conference in field-goal percentage. She was both a first team all-conference and all-region selection. The Daktronics All-America team announcement was affected by voting delays over the past four months.

Mandy Koupal of South Dakota was a repeat choice as the national player of the year. Also named to first team were Cal Poly Pomona guard Candice Allen, Crystal Clary, North Dakota forward Marisa Leighton and California (Pa.) guard Sara McKinney.

2004 Daktronics, Inc. Division II Women's Basketball All-America Team
First Team
Candice Allen, Cal Poly Pomona
Crystal Clary, Lenior-Rhyne College
Mandy Koupal, South Dakota
Marisa Leighton, North Dakota
Sara McKinney, California University, Pa.
Second Team
Jel-ani Armstrong, Midwestern State (Tx.)
Ashlea Bland, West Liberty State (WV)
Denisha Ferguson, Kennesaw State (Tn.)
Lucresia West, Florida Southern
Tracy Wyatt, Glenville State (WV)
Third Team
Heather Cigich, Clarion (Pa.)
Lindsey Dietz, Minnesota-Duluth
Katelyn Dwyer, Assumption (Ma.)
Valerie Gustafson, Seattle Pacific
September Harrison, Saint Leo (Fl.)