June 26, 2009

IRVING (C-USA/SMU) - SMU swimmer Jenny Basel has been awarded one of 12 Conference USA Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarships, Commissioner Britton Banowsky announced today.

Basel, who recently graduated from SMU, was a seven-time Conference USA champion, winning titles in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Breast and 400 Medley Relay. She qualified and competed in the 2008 USA Olympic Trials in the 200 IM, and earned NCAA All-America honors in 2006 as a member of the Mustangs' 200 Medley Relay team. Basel received her degree in chemistry and math, with a minor in mechanical engineering, and graduated with a 3.933 GPA. A native of Sterling, Va., she has been accepted to the University of Virginia Medical School and will start classes this fall.

This is the first year the award has been named for Dr. Castañeda, who served Rice University for 46 years as an educator, coach and Faculty Athletics Representative before he passed away in November. The conference annually presents the $4,000 Postgraduate Scholarship awards to graduates as selected by the C-USA Faculty Athletics Representatives and approved by the Board of Directors.

2008-09 POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS:
Nicole Moore, East Carolina, Women's Soccer
Shelby Scott, Houston, Women's Soccer
Camilla Overup, Marshall, Women's Swimming
Kathryn Murphy, Memphis, Women's Soccer
Eleanor "Lennie" Waite, Rice, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
Jenny Basel, SMU, Women's Swimming
Brittney Jones, Southern Miss, Softball
Jen Linder, Tulane, Volleyball
April Montgomery, Tulsa, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field
James Oliver, UAB, Baseball
Sha'Reff Rashad, UCF, Football
Daidre Mendenhall, UTEP, Volleyball