Feb. 19, 2004

CLEVELAND - Cleveland State's undisputed on-court leaders, seniors Shannon Sword (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) and Ashley Schrock (Wauseon, Ohio/Wauseon) showed on Thursday that they also excel in the classroom, garnering CoSIDA Academic All-District IV honors. Sword, who earned first team honors, will appear on the Academic All-America ballot, while Schrock was named to the second team.

"Shannon and Ashley are perfect examples of what we are looking for from the student-athletes in our program," CSU head coach Kate Peterson said. "Not only are they two of the better players in the league, but they take pride in what they do in the classroom."

Sword leads the league in 20-point games (11) and three-point pct. (.490) and stands second in scoring (17.5 ppg ) and free throw pct. (.852). She carries a 3.58 GPA in sport management. Schrock is tied for the league lead with nine double-doubles and is one of two players to rank among the top 10 in scoring (4th - 15.0 ppg), rebounding (2nd - 8.1) and assists (2nd - 5.13 apg). She is a middle childhood education major with a 3.58 GPA.

To be nominated for the Academic All-America team, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore starter or significant reserve on her team with a 3.20 cumulative grade point average. The District IV team is compiled from NCAA Division I women's basketball teams from Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.

Cleveland State (12-11, 9-3 HL) hosts league-leading UW-Green Bay tonight (17-7, 10-2 HL) in a battle for first place. With nine victories, the Vikings have already surpassed their conference win total from each of its previous nine seasons in the league.