Rani Ban/The Falcon Libby Magnuson maintains a GPA of 3.8 as a visual communications major, as well as a starting position on the women’s basketball team.

Libby Magnuson, a 5-foot-10-inch senior with wavy, reddish-brown hair, describes herself as an outdoors person who loves to slackline and read National Geographic magazine.

If you ask her for her least favorite subject in school, she may be hard-pressed to give you an answer.

"Does spelling count?" Magnuson joked. "I like to learn.... It's not very many people you run across that like science and math. I like to stay knowledgeable on that."

Magnuson, a forward for the women's basketball team and a visual communications major, said she always enjoys a challenge.

In February, ESPN The Magazine named Magnuson the Academic All-District VIII College Division women's basketball team as a Second Team selection. The honor recognizes athletes in Division II, Division III and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) schools across Western United States. Recipients of the award are chosen by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

To be eligible for this honor, a student must be a starter or an important reserve player, have reached sophomore status and have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average.

Magnuson is currently averaging 7.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, while maintaining a GPA of 3.83 in the classroom.

"I don't like to settle for things that aren't my best," Magnuson said of the award. "That goes for on the court and off the court."

According to Falcons head coach Julie van Beek, Magnuson has grown into a leader of the team. Magnuson's "gritty" play and versatility allows her to guard the opposing teams' best players, van Beek said. Magnuson also ranks among the top three Falcon players this season in scoring, assists, steals and rebounds.

However, for Magnuson, she feels her biggest strength on the basketball court is her ability to be an emotional leader and keep her team poised in tough situations.

"She definitely leads by example everyday in practice and in games, but she also speaks up when things need to be said," senior and teammate Jessie Christensen said. "On and off the court, I know Libby will always have my back or [the back of] any one of her teammates. She is a loyal friend who will go to war for any of them."

Magnuson attributes much of her attitude to her experiences playing sports as a child.

Growing up in White Bear Lake, Minn., Magnuson lived in a neighborhood of mostly boys.

"All my cousins are boys, so it was a very competitive atmosphere all the time," Magnuson said. "I guess that is why I am the way I am in basketball. It helped build that competitive side of me."

In fourth grade, she and her family moved to Puyallup, Wash., for her father's job, before moving back to Minnesota for high school where she attended White Bear Lake High. She attended Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., and then transferred to Seattle Pacific in 2006 for her junior year.

"There was just a good vibe," Magnuson said about her decision to come to SPU. "It just seemed like a place where I could be really happy and that's what I was looking for."

Magnuson said that her parents are the biggest inspiration on her life thus far, often encouraging her and supporting her decisions.

"They just want me to be happy," Magnuson said.

In terms of pursuing happiness, Magnuson said she is doing just fine. The Falcons are a perfect 25-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country. For Magnuson, this season has been one of her proudest achievements.

Earlier this season, Magnuson sank the two closing free throws with seven seconds left to secure a three-point win over the University of Alaska, Anchorage Seawolves, who are currently ranked No. 9 in the nation.

"This season has been amazing. It's probably the best way I can possibly think of going out on a senior year...."

After school, Magnuson wants to develop a portfolio of her graphic design work and pursue a career at a design firm in Seattle, though she is also considering moving back to Minnesota where her family is currently living.

Whether in the classroom or on the court, Magnuson is comfortable in what many would see as stressful situations. When it comes to basketball, and the game is on the line, she wants the ball in her hands for the final shot.

"I think that would be perfect," Magnuson said. "I love that kind of pressure...that's why you play."