Spartanburg, S.C. -- The Southern Conference today named Western Carolina women’s basketball player Lauren Powell as the TIAA-CREF Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of Jan. 24.

Powell, a sophomore from Asheville, N.C., averaged 14.5 points per game and helped the Lady Catamounts to a 2-0 week.  She scored 21 points and was 10-of-18 from the floor in the 58-47 victory over Furman on Saturday.  On Monday she finished with eight points and three offensive rebounds in 64-52 win over College of Charleston. 

Off the court, Powell boasts a 3.937 GPA and her major is undeclared.  She is a member of the SoCon Honor Roll and received the Commissioner’s Medal in 2006.

Other top performers include Appalachian State’s Carleena Costner (women’s basketball), Chattanooga’s Kristen Spann (women’s basketball), The Citadel’s Jonathan Brick (men’s basketball), Davidson’s Tia Washington (women’s basketball), Elon’s Chris Chalko (men’s basketball), UNCG’s Jeff Hedges (wrestling), VMI’s Tyler Anthony (wrestling) and Wofford’s Richard Cahi (men’s tennis).  

For more than 85 years, TIAA-CREF has been helping millions of people working in the academic, medical and cultural fields plan for their retirement. The organization’s clear and long-held commitment to serve those who dedicate themselves to the benefit and enlightenment of others remains unchanged.

With a non-profit heritage, TIAA-CREF has long subscribed to a different set of guiding principles. Principles directly influenced by the people they serve. With over $380 billion in combined assets as of June 30, 2004, their approach to investing goes beyond sound portfolio management. Visit TIAA-CREF.org or call 800-842-2776.