August 21, 2006

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114/ (901) 619-1899

SOUTHWEST STUDENT-ATHLETES RECEIVE ACADEMIC AWARD
Release written by Keith Gentry

Four Southwest student-athletes have been honored by the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association for their outstanding work in the classroom. Receiving the TJCCAA’s Academic Achievement Award for 2005-2006 were sophomore softball players Erica Brich and Jennifer Davenport, freshman baseball player Zac LaBarreare, and freshman basketball player Michelle Malone.

Brich, who came to Southwest from Collierville High School, had an overall grade point average of 3.609 while majoring in Education. In her two-year career at Southwest, Brich set Lady Saluqis’ pitching records with 21 wins and 296 strikeouts. As a sophomore, she set single season school records with 11 wins and 164 strikeouts and as a hitter led the Lady Saluqis with 27 runs batted in. Her freshman year, Brich was named to the TJCCAA All-Western Division team and set a Southwest record with a 2.32 earned run average. She will continue her education and softball career at Crichton College.

Davenport, who is a graduate of Houston High School in Germantown, transferred to Southwest after attending the University of Memphis as a freshman. A Business Administration major, Davenport earned a 3.128 grade point average. In her two years with the Lady Saluqis, she set Southwest career fielding records with 637 total chances, 594 put-outs and 15 double plays. Davenport also ranks high on the Lady Saluqis’ career charts with 108 games played, 42 runs scored, 14 doubles, 2 home runs, 28 runs batted in, and 105 total bases. She will continue her education at the University of Memphis.

LaBarreare is a resident of Eads, Tennessee who graduated of Fayette Academy in Somerville. An Allied Health Science major, LaBarreare compiled a 3.276 grade point average his freshman year. On the baseball field, he was the Saluqis’ closer in 2006, compiling a 4-3 record with a 4.40 earned run average. LaBarreare led the team with 20 appearances and four saves, and allowed opponents to bat only .235 against him.

Malone, a graduate of Millington Central High School, earned a 3.447 grade point average during her freshman year at Southwest majoring in Health and Physical Education. As a member of the Lady Saluqis’ basketball team, Malone averaged 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and was one of the team leaders with a .744 free throw percentage and 19 blocked shots. She scored a season-high 21 points against Walters State.

To be considered for the award, sophomores must have earned an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above, with at least 48 hours credit of college level work. Freshmen must have earned an overall GPA of 3.2 or above, with at least 24 hours credit of college level work.