Feb. 26, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern freshman Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) was named to the 2002 All-Big Ten team today, as announced by the conference office.
As Northwestern's only selection, Kwasinski received honorable mention accolades from both the coaches and media. She also was named to the Coaches' All-Freshman Team. Joining her on the first-year squad are Angelina Williams (Illinois), Kristin Haynie (Michigan), Janel McCarville (Minnesota) and Jess Strom (Penn State). McCarville was named Freshman of the Year.
During the year, Kwasinski became the first freshman in NU's 27-year history to lead the team in scoring while finishing atop the Big Ten in blocked shots (conference games only) with Indiana senior Jill Chapman. Both centers swatted 37 attempts. She finished fourth in field goal percentage (.547) in 16 conference games, hitting 110-of-201 field goal attempts and ended the regular season 15th on the Big Ten scoring list (overall).
Kwasinski averaged 13.6 points per game and placed 13th on the rebounding list (6.6 rpg). In conference games, she tied for 12th in scoring (15.4 ppg) and ended the year 17th in rebounding (5.9). Single-game accolades included setting NU's blocks record with seven. Those seven blocks tied Iowa's Jerica Watson for most blocks in any single Big Ten game this season.
Northwestern (4-23, 0-16 Big Ten) is seeded 11th in this weekends Big Ten Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. The Wildcats face sixth-seeded Wisconsin at 8 p.m. EST Thursday, February 28. The winner advances to Fridays quarterfinal round against third-seeded Minnesota at 8:30 p.m. EST.
FIRST TEAM (as selected by the coaches)
Iveta Marcauskaite, Illinois
Jill Chapman, Indiana
Lindsey Meder, Iowa
Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota
Kelly Mazzante, Penn State
Kelly Komara, Purdue
Shereka Wright, Purdue
Tamara Moore, Wisconsin
SECOND TEAM
Cindy Dallas, Illinois
Heather Cassady, Indiana
LeeAnn Bies, Michigan
Alayne Ingram, Michigan
Syreeta Bromfield, Michigan State
Janel McCarville, Minnesota
Courtney Coleman, Ohio State
Rashana Barnes, Penn State
Laura Meadows, Purdue
^ Nine honorees due to ties
HONORABLE MENTION
Shavonna Hunter, Illinois
Jennie Lillis, Iowa
Jennifer Smith, Michigan
Sarah Kwasinski, Northwestern
Tomeka Brown, Ohio State
Jess Strom, Penn State
COACHES' ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Angelina Williams, Illinos
Kristin Haynie, Michigan
Janel McCarville, Minnesota
Sarah Kwasinski, Northwestern
Jess Strom, Penn State
Player of the Year: Lindsay Whalen, Minnesota
Freshman of the Year: Janel McCarville, Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Year: Kelly Komara
Coach of the Year: Brenda Oldfield, Minnesota