Valentin Selected as Lowe's Senior Class Finalist
Voting Now Open to General Public

Oct. 25, 2007

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Wake Forest men's soccer senior co-captain Julian Valentin has been selected as a finalist for the Lowe's Senior Award.

2007 marks the first year for the soccer divisions of the award, which is presented annually in eight NCAA Division I sports to a senior student-athlete who has outstanding attributes in four areas: the classroom, community, character and competition.

Fan balloting, available on the award's official website seniorclassaward.com, will be combined with votes from coaches, media and sponsors to determine the recipient of the award.

Winners will be announced during the NCAA Soccer Championships, scheduled on December 7-9 in College Station, TX for women and December 14-16 in Cary, NC for men. The Lowe's All-Senior All-America Team will also be recognized.

"These young men and women are great representatives of the sport of soccer, their respective institutions and themselves personally," said Bob Gfeller, Lowe's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising.

"Lowe's is pleased to salute these student-athletes for their on-field and off-field commitment to excellence and look forward to making the presentation to thousands of soccer fans during the NCAA Championships."

About Valentin

Wake defender and current team captain Julian Valentin started every game for the Deacons during his sophomore and junior seasons. Last year, Valentin helped the Deacs to their first run to the NCAA College Cup, posting three game-winning goals overall.

Off the field, Valentin has earned Dean's List honors for five of six semesters and is scheduled to graduate in December 2007. The Lancaster, Pa. native has taken advantage of volunteer opportunities through the NCAA's CHAMPS program, and has logged hours at the local homeless shelter, mentoring Hispanic students, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and raising funds for Hurricane Katrina relief. Last year, Valentin was the co-chair of the Campus and Community Involvement Committee for the Student-Athlete Advisory Council at Wake Forest.

This year, Valentin is the Vice President for the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC); in this role he oversees all of the SAAC committees and participates in the SAAC strategic planning and leadership.

Valentin suffered an injury during practice in late August that sidelined the senior through the first Deacons matches of the season, but he has recently returned and scored his first goal of the season vs. Coastal Carolina on October 23.