Three Hawks named USA South Athletes of the Week
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Three Huntingdon student-athletes were recognized by the USA South Athletic Conference on Monday.
In the third Athletes of the Week release of the season, one Huntingdon football player and two women's soccer players were chosen for their performances.
In football, freshman Linell Tarver was chosen as Defensive Rookie of the Week. For women's soccer, freshman Coco Burgess was named the Defensive Player of the Week and freshman Mac Pearson was selected as the Rookie of the Week.
This is Tarver's second Rookie of the Week honor. In his third collegiate game, Tarver was the Hawks' second leading tackler with 11 stops and also had one quarterback hurry. For the season, he is second on the team with 23 tackles.
Burgess and Pearson helped lead the women's soccer team to a 3-0 record for the week. Burgess and the defense helped the Lady Hawks post three shutouts with a 1-0 win over Oglethorpe, a 5-0 win over Wesleyan and a 2-0 win over LaGrange. The defense also held Wesleyan and LaGrange to one shot apiece and no shots on goal. For the season, the defense has held four of its seven opponents to three shots or less.
Pearson scored the game-winning goal in two of Huntingdon's wins and had an assist on the game-winning goal in a third win. She scored in the first six minutes of the Wesleyan game to give Huntingdon a 1-0 lead and had the first goal in the win over LaGrange. She also had two assists during the week, including an assist on the game-winning goal against Oglethorpe. Through seven games, she leads the Lady Hawks with 13 points and is tied for the team lead with five goals and three assists.
Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week.
FOOTBALL
Football Offensive Player of the Week
Adam Diggs, Maryville - The junior quarterback from Knoxville, Tennessee set a new single-game program record with six touchdown passes in a 56-46 win over Emory & Henry last week. Diggs was 14-for-23 passing with no interceptions and 357 yards. He averaged 15.5 yards per attempted and tossed an 80-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter which put the Scots ahead for good. Also Nominated: Darian Curley, N.C. Wesleyan; Otis Porter, Huntingdon; Nicholas Searcy, LaGrange; Jeremiah Smith, Averett.
Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Kris Castillo, Maryville - The freshman quarterback from Richardson, Texas was thrust into the game in the second quarter and threw a touchdown in a 56-46 win over Emory & Henry. Replacing starter Adam Diggs for most of the second stanza, Castillo threw for 91 yards, including an eight-yard score with four seconds remaining in the half to give the Scots the lead. Castillo would then hand the reigns back to Diggs for the remainder of the game. Also Nominated: Delquan Bigelow, Averett.
Football Defensive Player of the Week
Tyriek Able, Averett - The Greensboro, North Carolina senior defensive back intercepted two passes, returning one of them for a touchdown, in a 19-7 win over USA South foe Ferrum. Able's first interception came midway into the third quarter when he broke a scoreless tie by returning it 73 yards for the score. His second takeaway occurred with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter and sealed the victory for the Cougars. Able also contributed four solo tackles in the win. Also Nominated: Taylor Brown, Ferrum; Brandon Williams, Huntingdon.
Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Linell Tarver, Huntingdon - The freshman linebacker from Honolulu, Hawaii totaled 11 tackles in a 41-30 win over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan last week. Tarver collected six solo tackles and five assisted take downs in the victory. Also Nominated: Jacorey Jackson, Maryville; Tristin Ellerbe, Methodist.
Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Nicholas Mintz, Averett - The freshman linebacker from Burlington, North Carolina blocked two punts on special teams which each turned into touchdowns in a 19-7 win over USA South foe Ferrum last week. The first block of the day set-up a three-yard touchdown which was scored two plays later. Mintz's second block was scooped up by teammate B.J. Robbins and returned 57-yards to help push the Cougar lead to one that would not be overcome. He also added two solo tackles in the victory. Also Nominated: Kenneth Horne, Maryville; Chase Young, Huntingdon.
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Randy Reichenberger, Maryville - The junior forward from Hendersonville, Tennessee was directly involved in both game-winning goals in a 2-0 week versus USA South competition for the Scots. In an 2-1 win over Ferrum, Reichenberger assisted on the eventual game-winning goal with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. In a 3-2, double-overtime, victory over Averett, Reichenberger scored the game-winner with just over one minute remaining in the game. Also Nominated: Carlos Barragan, Greensboro; David Cuperman, Averett; Gerry Madden, Methodist; Nathan Metzger, Piedmont; Baboucarr Njie, N.C. Wesleyan; Keith Ricks, Ferrum.
Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Jared Heller, Greensboro - The senior defender from Pembroke Pines, Florida helped the Pride post a 2-1 record last week by leading a defense which allowed four goals in three contests. He also contributed two goals and one assist during the week. The Pride collected two USA South wins with identical 4-1 victories over LaGrange and Huntingdon. In the victory over Huntingdon, Heller scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 19th minute. Also Nominated: Gavin Dougherty, Maryville; Sean Dunbar, Averett; Elliot Sailes, Piedmont.
Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Zvi Ferrari, Methodist - The freshman forward from Silver Spring, Maryland tallied one goal and two assists as the Monarchs posted a 3-0 record last week. In a 2-1 win over Guilford, Ferrari scored his first collegiate goal to open the scoring for Methodist. In a 3-0 victory over USA South foe Piedmont, Ferrari tallied his first collegiate assist. Finally, in a 4-3 win over USA South rival Covenant, Ferrari assisted on the eventual game-winning goal in the 82nd minute. Also Nominated: Alexander Bishop, Greensboro; Zach Cantaffa, William Peace; Milan Card, Maryville; Asher Francis, Averett.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Meredith Priest, Greensboro - The Asheboro, North Carolina sophomore forward tallied four goals and three assists in a 3-0 week for the Pride. In a 5-0 victory over Emory & Henry, Priest assisted on the team's fourth goal of the match. In a 12-0 victory over Wilson, Priest scored twice, including the eventual game-winning goal, and added an assist. Finally, in a 15-0 win over Central Pennsylvania, Priest once again scored twice with one assist. Also Nominated: Savannah Castles, Piedmont; Amanda Gustavsson, Averett; Lizzy Hightower, Covenant; Mac Pearson, Huntingdon; Lexie Hill, Maryville; Payton Stuart, Ferrum.
Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Coco Burgess, Huntingdon - The McKinney, Texas freshman defender helped lead the Hawks to three shutouts in a 3-0 week. The Huntingdon defense allowed five shots on goal in a 1-0 victory over Oglethorpe then held Wesleyan and LaGrange to zero shots on target to close out the week. Also Nominated: Kelly Allen, Maryville; Bailee Brown, Averett; Isabella Cross, Greensboro; Miranda McNalley, Piedmont.
Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Mac Pearson, Huntingdon - The Naples, Florida freshman forward tallied two goals, both game-winners, and two assists in a 3-0 week for the Hawks. In a 1-0 victory over Oglethorpe, Pearson assisted on the game-winning score in the 53rd minute. In a 5-0 win over Wesleyan, Pearson scored the first goal of the match before assisting on another. Finally, in a 2-0 victory over LaGrange, Pearson scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 32nd minute. Also Nominated: Alexis Chase, Greensboro; Lexie Hill, Maryville; Molly Kate McClearn, Covenant; Miranda McNalley, Piedmont.
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball Player of the Week
Sarah Smoot, Averett - The senior outside hitter from Randleman, North Carolina averaged 3.70 kills, with a .349 hitting percentage, per set as the Cougars posted a 3-0 record last week at the Maryville College Invitational. In a 3-1 win over Covenant, Smoot tallied 16 kills and four digs. In a 3-0 victory over Mt. St. Joseph, Smoot posted seven kills and three digs. Finally, in a 3-0 win over Maryville, Smoot totaled 14 kills and one dig. For her efforts, Smoot was named to the All-Tournament Team. Also Nominated: Lindsay Alford, William Peace; Ashley Beardsley, Methodist; Hannah Delcamp, Salem; Saidee McDaniel, Maryville; Ginny Moore, Covenant; Shayla Moss, Greensboro; Bria Rochelle, Huntingdon; Autumn Spence, N.C. Wesleyan; Alexandra Wilkins, Berea.
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Amanda Beatty, LaGrange - The freshman defensive specialist from Merritt Island, Florida averaged 6.64 digs per set as the Panthers posted a 4-0 record last week at the Huntingdon College Invitational. In a 3-0 win over Miles, Beatty totaled 24 digs. In a 3-0 win over Pensacola Christian, Beatty, in two sets played, posted 17 digs, one kill and one assist. In a 3-0 victory over Mississippi University for Women, Beatty contributed 18 digs, two kills and two assists. Finally, in a 3-0 win over Huntingdon, Beatty tallied 14 digs, four assists, three kills and one service ace. Also Nominated: Kaitlyn Flickinger, Maryville; Tori Belcher, Greensboro; Maggie Hawks, Salem; Bria Rochelle, Huntingdon; Hannah Shields, Averett; Carson Williams, William Peace.
Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Callie Cline, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman outside hitter from Stanfield, North Carolina averaged 1.86 kills and 4.57 digs per set as the Battling Bishops posted a 1-1 record last week. In a 3-1 loss to Randolph-Macon, Cline tallied six kills, 16 digs, two assists, two blocks and one service ace. In a 3-0 victory over Johnson & Wales (NC), Cline posted seven kills, 16 digs, five service aces, two assists and two blocks. Also Nominated: Danyale Berry, Greensboro; Amanda Beatty, LaGrange; McKenzie Miller, Averett; Kathryn O'Connell, Salem; Amy Tyma, Huntingdon.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Logan McKenzie, Berea - The sophomore from Athens, Tennessee has competed twice since the last USA South men's cross country athletes of the week were chosen. On September 8, McKenzie placed first out of 70 runners at the Berea College/Centre College Cross Country Jamboree. McKenzie completed the 5,000-meter course in a time of 15:20 helping the Mountaineers to a first place team finish. This past week, McKenzie placed first out of 102 runners at the Berea College Coach Johnson and Mary Kay Invitational. He completed the five-mile course in a time of 26:14 helping the Mountaineers to a first place team finish. Also Nominated: Mack Brooks, Methodist; Caleb Aikens, Covenant; Daniel Beckett, Maryville; Bryce Griggs , Piedmont.
Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Mack Brooks, Methodist - The freshman from Fayetteville, North Carolina placed 85th out of 175 runners at the Furman University Cross Country Classic on September 9th. Brooks completed the 8,000-meter course in a time of 27:24 helping the Monarchs to a 12th place team finish. Also Nominated: Caleb Aikens, Covenant; Will Hatchett, Piedmont; Kerry Jones, Berea.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Makayla Lawler, Methodist - The freshman from Knob Noster, Missouri placed 41st out of 163 runners at the Furman University Cross Country Classic on September 9th. Lawler completed the 6,000-meter course in a time of 23:37, helping the Monarchs to a 10th place team finish. Also Nominated: Michelann Settle, Covenant; Macy Brinson, Meredith; Lea Mulligan, Maryville; Reese Bowles , Piedmont; Emily DeNigris, Berea.
Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Makayla Lawler, Methodist - The freshman from Knob Noster, Missouri placed 41st out of 163 runners at the Furman University Cross Country Classic on September 9th. Lawler completed the 6,000-meter course in a time of 23:37, helping the Monarchs to a 10th place team finish. Also Nominated: Sloan Fletcher , Piedmont; Heather Hall, Covenant; Karen Perez, Meredith; Lea Mulligan, Maryville; Abigail Schlenker, Berea.