CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. ? Leeann White, who was chosen as Austin Peay State University's Most Outstanding Female Athlete in 2007-08, has been named the 2008-09 Wilma “Skeeter Scholar” Rudolph recipient.

The scholarship of $1715 was awarded by the Wilma “Skeeter Scholar" Rudolph Committee of the Clarksville Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

It honors the late Wilma Rudolph, the Clarksville native who overcame several physical hardships to become the first American female to win three track and field goals medals in a single Olympics, 1960, in Rome. Rudolph died, Nov. 12, 1994, at age 54, from brain cancer.

White certainly understands attempting to overcome adversity. The Nashville native (McGavock HS) has spent almost her entire summer in Clarksville rehabilitating a surgery-necessitating knee surgery.  After qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Regional in the long jump (19-11.75), White, the Ohio Valley Conference favorite in the event, suffered torn knee ligaments in the conference championships prelims back in Cape Girardeau, Mo., back in May.

It prevented her from repeating the title she won indoors. The senior won the OVC Indoor long jump championship and accounted for 20.75 points in the league championship event,

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After redshirting in 2006 because of injury, White bounced back with a terrific 2007. She easily won the OVC Indoor long jump title with a leap of 20-feet-1 and one-half inch, the second longest indoor jump in APSU history. It also ranked 40th best in the country.

In addition, she finished second in the indoor triple jump and was a finalist in the indoor 55-meter dash.

Before her injury, White owned a 147-6 indoor record last season against all long jump opponents last season and a 61-6 mark in the triple jump for a combined 94.5 winning percentage in the jumps.

White is expected to begin competing in at least the track events when the indoor season begins during the winter.

The “Skeeter Scholar” will alternate between Austin Peay, Rudolph's hometown school, and Tennessee State, Rudolph's alma mater.  

-AP-