Lions’ Gregory named first-team All-American

Vanguard University senior Lauren Gregory, who guided the Lions to Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and a 31-4 record, has been named first-team NAIA Division I All-American.

Gregory, who helped Vanguard win the program’s first national championship in 2007-08, averaged 14.6 points and 6.3 rebounds this past season, which ended for the Lions in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament in Jackson, Tenn.

Gregory, a 6-foot-1 forward who played center all season, after 6-4 Therese Riedel was paralyzed in a preseason diving accident, carried a significant load as the team’s lone senior. In her final five games, including three in Tennessee, as well as a semifinal and the title game of the conference tournament, Gregory averaged 21 points and 8.8 rebounds.

Her three-point shooting range and ability to drive by taller, slower opponents created a consistent matchup problem for opposing centers.

Gregory, a first-team all-tournament honoree in Jackson as a junior, was named second-team all-tournament this season, despite the No. 2-ranked Lions’ unexpected quarterfinal exit on March 21.

Gregory, also an All-GSAC performer, continues a long string of first-team All-Americans at Vanguard. That list has also included Jessica Richter, Kelly Schmidt and Lisa Faulkner.

Josephine Owino, who led Union University of Tennessee to the national crown, was named NAIA Player of the Year for the second straight season.

— Barry Faulkner