Elizabeth Betterbed is the quintessential student-athlete. The 2006 Gig Harbor High School graduate — currently a senior at Army University in West Point, N.Y. — is one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in NCAA Division I women’s soccer.
Betterbed, who played soccer, basketball and competed in track in high school, leads the Black Knights in scoring and has been ranked No. 1 academically since her freshman year.
“The Lowe’s (award) is a recognition of what we do on a daily basis,” Betterbed said. “Everyone (at Army) buys into this mentality that we’re preparing for something.”
Betterbed’s list of accomplishments are impressive. She was selected as a finalist based on four criteria: classroom, character, community and competition.
Betterbed has been working toward earning the Rhodes or Marshall scholarships, which she said will prepare her for graduate school.
As a midfielder for Army, she led the team to Patriot League championship and the first NCAA tournament bid in school history last year.
This season, Betterbed has contributed by winning at least two matches.
While balancing her school work with her on-the-field success, she believes sports has been a key.
“Soccer has been a built-in support group,” Betterbed said. “You definitely learn to handle the stress, but it’s nice to have that relief, to go after school and play soccer for two hours. That’s helped me through my time in the academy.”
Betterbed’s younger sister, Claire — who competed at last year’s Class 4A state cross country meet and placed 56th in 19 minutes, 50 seconds — is a freshman at Army.
Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the Lowe’s award, according to goarmysports.com. The winner will be announced at the 2009 NCAA Men’s and Women’s College Cup championships in early December.
Fans can continue to vote at www.seniorclassaward.com until Nov. 13.
Here is a list of her accomplishments:
Elizabeth Betterbed of Fox Island is majoring in mechanical engineering at Army in West Point, N.Y., and she has a 4.235 cumulative grade-point average.
She’s been ranked No. 1 in her class since her freshman year.
She holds the second-highest rank in the Corps of Cadets, which numbers 4,400, as a Deputy Brigade Commander.
She’s a team leader, first sergeant for the Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Executive Officer for the Summer Garrison Regiment.
She has the highest GPA in the Patriot League for women’s soccer for the past two years.
She’s been a starter on the Army women’s soccer team since her freshman year.
Named a Patriot all-star as a defender and was one of four Black Knights named to the all-tournament team after leading the school to the conference title and its first NCAA bid in school history last year.
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