Edelen and Dannefer Honored with GAC Superlative Awards
FORT SMITH, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced its annual superlative awards, All-GAC Teams, and top Scholar Athletes for Women's Basketball on the eve of the GAC Championship Tournament Wednesday night. East Central University's
Claira Dannefer was named Freshman of the Year, while
Katie Edelen was honored as Newcomer of the Year for their exceptional performances during the 2024-25 season.
In addition,
Kayley Alt,
Katie Edelen,
Eva Fernandez,
Tatum Havens,
Lucia Hervia,
Makenzy Herman,
Chloe Malone,
Peyton Mosley,
Natalie Payne, and
Jayden Weiberg earned spots on the GAC Academic Honor Roll, which recognizes student-athletes with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and a minimum of one year in full-time college attendance.
2024-25 All-GAC Teams
Dannefer becomes the first Tiger in the GAC era to earn Freshman of the Year honors, while Edelen's Newcomer of the Year accolade comes just three seasons after
Kate Ogle received the same distinction in 2022.
Both Dannefer and Edelen have made immediate and significant impacts on the ECU women's basketball program, with each playing in every game this season. Edelen has started all 26 games, while Dannefer has made 23 starts.
Dannefer has enjoyed a stellar start to her collegiate career, racking up 228 points and 127 rebounds, averaging 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Her season highlights include three 20+ point performances, including a career-high 28 points against Emporia State, as well as her first career double-double, with 11 points and 12 rebounds against Henderson State.
Edelen adds another accolade to her impressive résumé, having earned NJCAA Region II Freshman of the Year honors last season with Northern Oklahoma College Enid. As an all-around player for the Tigers, Edelen averages 33.8 minutes, 14.2 points, and 4.7 rebounds per game. She ranks No. 6 in the GAC for minutes, No. 9 for scoring, and No. 22 for rebounding. Edelen has scored in double figures in all but six games this season, including three 20+ point performances, with a career-high 27 points against Henderson State.
The ECU women's basketball team will begin its 2024-25 GAC Championship Tournament journey on Thursday, March 6, at 5:45 p.m. in Quarterfinal #2, facing Southern Nazarene University. The tournament is being held at Southside Arena in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Tickets are available
here.
