Henderson and Lear Receive Weaver-James-Corrigan Awards
Thirty-two NC State student-athletes have received the honor over the years



March 6, 2003

Greensboro, N.C. - Nineteen Atlantic Coast Conference scholar-athletes have been named recipients of the 2003 Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarships, as announced by Commissioner John Swofford. NC State's Diana Henderson and Gretchen Lear were included among the honorees. The scholarships are given to selected student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate-level degree following graduation. Each recipient will receive $5,000 to use towards their graduate education. Student-athletes receiving the award have performed with distinction both in the classroom and in their respective sports, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community. The award is named in honor of the late Jim Weaver and Bob James as well as Gene Corrigan, past ACC commissioners.

In addition to those receiving scholarship funds, there will be four student-athletes receiving Weaver-James-Corrigan Honorary Awards. These students will be recognized for their outstanding performance both in athletic competition, as well as in the classroom throughout their collegiate careers and who intend to compete in their respective sports at the Olympic or professional level.

Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Wake Forest led the conference in selections this year with a total of three apiece. Clemson, Duke, Florida State and NC State had two student-athletes selected while Maryland and Virginia each had one representative on the list of honorees.

Henderson, a native of Hendersonville, N.C., becomes the seventh member of the cross country team to earn the scholarship since it was renamed in 1997. Lear is only the second women's soccer player to receive the award.

The 23 student-athletes will be honored Friday, April 11, 2003, in Greensboro, N.C., at a luncheon hosted by the Nat Greene Kiwanis. The luncheon will be held in the Empire Room at the Elm Street Center on South Elm Street.

Diana Henderson, Track/Cross Country
Diana Lynn Henderson, North Carolina State University, Cross Country, Hendersonville, N.C.
Has been a scorer and blocker for NC State on two conference championship teams in 2000 and 2002 ... In 2000, she aided her team to the District III Championships, and was a member of the 2002 runner-up squad ... Raced in two NCAA Championship meets; in 2000 when the Wolfpack finished 11th, and in 2002 on the 13-place team ... Henderson notched all-conference honors in track in 2001 after finishing third in the 10,000 meters and was an NCAA provisional qualifier that season ... She also recorded a top-10 finish at the 2001 track championships in the 5,000 meters ... Seven-time NC State Scholar Athlete and has been named to the conference's all-academic squad on three occasions ... Member of three national honor fraternities: Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Beta Phi and Phi Eta Sigma, and was inducted into the Golden Key Honor Society.

Gretchen Lear, Women's Soccer
Gretchen Christina Lear, North Carolina State University, Soccer, Springfield, Va. Ranks fifth all-time in NC State history in saves (254) and shutouts (15) ... After an excellent freshman campaign, compiling a record of 4-3-1, a 1.30 gaa and a pair of shutouts, Lear was forced to sit out nine games her sophomore year due to injury ... Returned for the second half of the season and posted a 1.01 gaa and six shutouts, earning ACC Player of the Week honors ... In her junior season, Lear was again forced to sit for five games in mid-season due to injury ... Added three shutouts to her career total and a 1.37 gaa ... Named to the SoccerBuzz Elite and Soccer America Teams of the Week, as well as ACC Player of the Week in October 2002 for her play in goal in NC State's 2-1 victory over No.1 North Carolina ... Six-time Dean's List, NC State Scholar Athlete, and ACC Honor Roll honoree ... Named to the 2001 Verizon third team academic all-region team, the 2002 Verizon first team academic all-region team and 2002 third team academic All-American ... 2002 College of Engineering Senior Scholarship nominee and the winner of the 2002-03 Henry M. Bremer Endowed Scholarship.