Dec. 17, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina senior Yael Averbuch, who helped the UNC women's soccer team to an NCAA title earlier this month, has been selected as a recipient of the Today's Top VIII Award for 2009. Averbuch is the third Tar Heel in the past three years to win the prestigious NCAA honor, which is given annually to eight student-athletes who excel athletically, academically and in leadership and community service.
Joining Averbuch in receiving the recognition are: Kirby Blackley (Findlay, outdoor and indoor track and field); Dylan Carney (Stanford, gymnastics); Gregory Micheli (Mount Union, football); Kristi Miller (Georgia Tech, tennis); Louie Sakoda (Utah, football), Katy Tafler (Grand Valley State, soccer); and Angela Tincher (Virginia Tech, softball). The recipients will be honored at the NCAA Honors and Delegates Celebration January 15 at the NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C.
Averbuch is the fifth Tar Heel to win the award. Two Carolina student-athletes - Laura Gerraughty (track and field) and Heather O'Reilly (soccer) - were Top VIII recipients in 2007. Other Tar Heels honored have been Sue Walsh (swimming, 1985) and Tony Waldrop (track and field, 1975).
The award, given to seniors who have completed their athletic eligibility, has been known as Today's Top VIII since 1995. From 1986 to 1994, it was the Top VI and from its inception in 1973 to 1985, it was Today's Top V. Selection for the award is based 50 percent on athletics ability and achievement, 25 percent on academic achievement and 25 percent on character, leadership and activities. The Top VIII honorees are selected by the NCAA Honors Committee, which is composed of eight athletics administrators at member institutions and nationally distinguished citizens who are former student-athletes.
A psychology major from Upper Montclair, N.J., Averbuch started a school-record 105 games during her college career and played on two NCAA championship teams at UNC. Earlier this fall, she was named the Academic All-America of the Year, recognizing her as the top student-athlete in her sport. She was named the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women's soccer in 2007.
Averbuch is a three-time All-America and a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection who was named national player of the year as a sophomore. She also is a member of the U.S. Under-23 team.
Active in community outreach activities, Averbuch represents her team on Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She is a member of the Carolina Leadership Academy's Veteran Leaders program and a recipient of its highest honor, the Three-Dimensional Leader Award.
