Basketball has taken Abby Waner across the United States and around the globe, from Tunisia to South Korea with the U.S. under-19 world championship team.
Sunday, it brought her home.
Taking a respite from her studies and NCAA Tournament preparations at Duke, Waner accepted the 2005 sportswoman of the year award at the 32nd Sportswomen of Colorado banquet at the Denver Tech Center Marriott.
Awards were presented earlier in the evening to 45 athletes, coaches and contributors to female athletics.
In March 2005, Waner led ThunderRidge High School to its third consecutive state championship as a Gatorade national player of the year. In the fall of 2005, she began her freshman season at Duke, where the 5-foot-10 guard averages 8.8 points for a 26-3 team awaiting its seeding and opponent in the Division I women’s tournament.
“Keeping in mind you’ll never be perfect, there’s always room for improvement,” Waner said. “Right now, what’s pushing me is the national championship. And this summer it might be USA Basketball or getting ready for next season. The main thing is always having higher standards for yourself.”
Waner won the SWC high school basketball award in 2004. At that banquet, she became aware of the scope of the awards that honor girls and women, young and old, various body types and talents, from burro racers to swimmers, boxers to gymnasts, skiers to softball pitchers.
“It’s such an honor to be in the presence of such great athletes in Colorado,” Waner said. “I wasn’t even aware of half of the accomplishments these women have realized. It’s a great way to expose success stories.”
Adventure racer Danielle Ballengee, golfer and coach Susan Jennings, tennis player Alicia Salas and Olympic luger Courtney Zablocki were honored by the SWC for the third time, qualifying them for the SWC Hall of Fame induction.
Seven national champions were honored in track and field: Loree Smith, Colorado State, hammer throw; Dana Pounds, Air Force, javelin; Sara Gorton Slattery, Colorado, 10,000 meters; Renee Metivier, CU, 3,000 meters; Victoria Martinez, Adams State, 800 meters; Alisha Williams, Western State, 1,500 and 3,000 meters; Chealsea Taylor, Montbello High and the University of Alabama, high jump.
Among contribution award winners, Metro State athletic director Joan McDermott was honored for leadership and Grand Junction tennis coach Carol Elliott received the spirit award.
Regis University basketball coach Linda Raunig was presented the coach of the year award.
Ceal Barry, a former CU basketball coach and 1993 SWC Hall of Fame inductee, was the event’s guest speaker.
