Lutz up for award

Westminster senior Leigh Ann Lutz was one of 84 student-athletes nominated for the 2014 Allstate WBCA Good Works Team, announced Tuesday by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and Allstate Insurance Company.

The award recognizes college basketball student-athletes who have excelled on the court and have made significant contributions to their community through volunteerism and civic service.

Lutz, who has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout her collegiate career, joined the 1,000-point club and broke the season record for 3-pointers as a junior for the Blue Jays. In four games at Westminister this season, Lutz is averaging 10.3 points and has compliled five steals.

But the former California High School standout does more than what is seen on the hardwood.

Lutz has helped organize basketball clinics for local elementary schools and the Missouri School of the Deaf, officiated 3-on-3 tournaments for breast cancer awareness, and set up the Blue Jay Buddies program, which works in part with McIntyre Elementary School. She has also been a Special Olympics volunteer for four years and just recently bacame a seminar mentor for the freshman at Westminster.

"Leigh Ann has been committed to leading our team in our community service activities the past couple of years," Westminster women's basketball coach Tracey Braden said. "She has set up various community service opportunities for us and always does the extra work to see it happen. She believes it is important that we as a women's basketball program set the standard of service and giving back to our community."

The Allstate WBCA Good Works Team will be comprised of five members from the NCAA Division I, II, II and NAIA levels. Lutz is among the 32 nominees that are up for the five NCAA Division II, III and NAIA spots.

The 10-member team will be announced in February.