Senior all-American Lindsey Harding missed a pair of free throws with less than one second to go, but that does nothing to minimize the impact she???s had on one of the country???s top programs.

The team???s second leading scorer this season, Harding is a wizard on the defensive end of the court. Yesterday, the Women???s Basketball Coaches Association named the Houston native as its defensive player of the year. A former high school sprint champion, Harding is undeniably one of the top athletes in the country. It???s her activity off the court, however, that will truly stand the test of time.

Harding has forged a relationship with the Special Olympics and has worked hard to build a foundation between the organization and the Duke athletics program that will last after her graduation. Initially, Harding volunteered as a youth soccer coach but expanded her participation to basketball, baseball and other activities.

She has been especially touched by youngsters Tyler and Andrew Coburn and has become a part of their family. The Coburns traveled to watch the Blue Devils play in last year???s Women???s Final Four in Boston and made Lindsey a cake for her birthday. Andrew refers to Lindsey as his ???sister.???

Although she will graduate in May with a degree in sociology, Lindsey will have a presence in Durham for a long time to come.