Two Ranger Women Receive Sportswomen of Colorado Honors

Denver, Colo.: Two Regis women athletes received Sportswomen of Colorado honors for their performances last season and years past. Alisa Heronema, junior softball player, was named the Sportswomen of Colorado for her performance on the diamond last season. Diana Lopez was inducted into the Sportswomen Hall of Fame for receiving three awards in basketball since 2006. 

Last season, Heronema racked up numerous awards within the conference, region, and nation. She was named to the RMAC All-Tournament team while being named First Team All-RMAC, NFCA and Daktronics First Team All-Central Region, Daktronics Second Team All-America, and NFCA First Team All-America.

In 2009, Heronema also led the NCAA in two categories while setting new RMAC records. She recorded 13 triples last season while tallying 101 total hits. Her 13 triples led all NCAA divisions (I, II, and III) while her 101 hits placed her second. Both of these numbers set new RMAC records.

Also receiving Sportswomen of Colorado honors in 2010 was Lopez who played basketball at Regis from 2003 to 2007. She was first named a Sportswoman of Colorado in 2006 after her performance in 2005. Then in 2007, her and her sister, Denise, won the special career achievement award.

The two sisters graduated from Regis in 2007 and held a combined 30 records at the university while leading the Rangers to a 95-29 combined record in their four years. In 2007, Diana was named the RMAC Player of the Year and the team MVP for the third consecutive season as she led the nation with 4.55 steals per game. Denise averaged 15.7 ppg and was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

This year, Diana received the legacy award. With this being her third award received by Sportswomen of Colorado, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame among other outstanding athletes such as Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn and Olympic snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler. In order to be placed in the Hall of Fame, an athlete must either receive three awards in the same sport or special awards category.

For more information on award winners go to sportswomenofcolorado.org.

The two women will be honored at a special banquet on Sunday evening, March 7th at the Marriott Tech Center.  For reservation information, call the Sportswomen office at 303-331-0376 or e-mail Joan Birkland at jbirkland@usga.org.