Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Valparaiso University's Betsy Rietema (Grand Rapids, Mich./Christian H.S.) has been named to the 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's Basketball Third Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The junior leads the Crusaders and is seventh in the Mid-Continent Conference in scoring averaging 13.0 points per game. Rietema is also ninth in the league in rebounding, grabbing 6.1 boards per contest. She also is seventh in the league with 1.67 steals per night. The 39.4% shooter from the floor is connecting on 73.1% from the free throw line.

In the classroom, Rietema has also excelled, posting a 3.96 grade point average while double majoring in psychology and chemistry. She was a member of the Mid-Con All-Academic Team last season.

To be named to the Academic All-America Team players must be named to the All-Academic First Team in their particular district. To be eligible for Academic All-District and Academic All-America, student-athletes must hold at least sophomore status, own a minimum grade-point average of 3.20, and be either a starter or key reserve.