Lawrie repeats as top player

The best.

For the second year in a row, those two words apply to University of Washington pitcher Danielle Lawrie in the eyes of USA Softball. Lawrie was named the organization’s national player of the year Tuesday, marking the second time the senior pitcher has been given the award that honors the NCAA’s top player.

Lawrie, a native of British Columbia, beat out sluggers Jen Yee of Georgia Tech and Megan Langenfield of UCLA.

The question now is where Lawrie ranks in the eyes of history. She is likely to go down as the greatest softball player in UW history, and there are those who believe she should be part of the conversation alongside players like Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman and Lisa Fernandez for the best fastpitch hurler in NCAA history.

Lawrie is 40-3 with a 1.00 ERA and a school-record 24 shutouts this season and ranks third in the nation with 478 strikeouts this season. Her 1,843 career strikeouts are the most in Pac-10 history and mark the fourth-highest total in NCAA history. She was named national player of the week seven times this season – also a record.

Everett Herald

Cougs will play in holiday tourney

College basketball: The Washington State Cougars will be spending Christmas in Hawaii this year.

The school announced Tuesday it had accepted an invite to play in the Diamond Head Classic, which starts Dec. 22 and includes games on Dec. 23 and Christmas day.

The tournament, hosted by the University of Hawaii, includes 2009 NCAA tournament finalist Butler, along with participants Baylor and Florida State along with Mississippi State, Utah and the University of San Diego.

WSU hasn’t played in Hawaii since 1991, when it participated in the Rainbow Classic.

Vince Grippi

Seahawks claim ex-Husky QB

NFL: The Seattle Seahawks have claimed wide receiver, kick returner and former Washington Huskies quarterback Isaiah Stanback, 26, off waivers from the New England Patriots.

Stanback was drafted in the fourth round by Dallas and played sparingly. He joined New England’s active roster last November and played in six games.

Also, the Seahawks signed tight end Anthony McCoy, their sixth-round draft pick, to a multi-year deal. McCoy is the first of Seattle’s nine draft picks to sign.

Associated Press