General

USA South Athletes of the Week - October 14, 2024

  • Football Offensive Player of the Week
    Devin Daniels, Belhaven - The Columbia, Mississippi senior running back rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-17 win over USA South foe Southern Virginia last week. Daniels carried the ball 11 times for an average of 14.5 yards per rush. He touchdowns were runs of 48, 66, and 19 yards. Also Nominated: Ethan Beamish, Brevard; Dorian Smith, Huntingdon; Goldman Butler VI, LaGrange; Christian Drumgoole, N.C. Wesleyan.

    Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
    Mychal Stillwell, LaGrange - The Warner Robins, Georgia freshman tight end caught six passes for 83 yards in a 31-9 win at USA South rival N.C. Wesleyan last week. Also Nominated: CJ Ferguson, Methodist; Taylor Cardon, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Player of the Week
    Wyatt Beck, Belhaven - The Baton Rouge, Louisiana junior linebacker collected 11 total tackles, one of which resulted in a loss, hurried the quarterback once, and recovered a fourth quarter fumble in a 38-17 win over USA South foe Southern Virginia last week. Beck made nine solo tackles to go along with two assisted take downs to become the current League leader in total tackles. Also Nominated: Baylee Ramey, Brevard; Ziere Ray, Greensboro; Deon King Jr., LaGrange.

    Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
    Amarie Gilchrist, Southern Virginia - The Suffolk, Virginia freshman safety collected eight tackles and intercepted a pass in a 28-17 loss to USA South foe Belhaven last week. Gilchrist's pickoff came on the game's opening drive near midfield while five of his eight tackles were of the solo variety. Also Nominated: Chance Joseph, Belhaven; Brandon Broughton, Brevard; Ziere Ray, Greensboro.

    Football Special Teams Player of the Week
    Erwin Reed, Belhaven - The Horn Lake, Mississippi kick returner, on three opportunities, gave his team average field position of the opponent's 45 yard line in a  38-17 win over USA South foe Southern Virginia last week. Reed averaged 36.3 yards per return including a long of 61 yards. Also Nominated: Thomas Chapman, Greensboro; Braxtyn Green, N.C. Wesleyan.

  • Men's Soccer Player of the Week
    Benjamin Simister, Southern Virginia - The St. George, Utah sophomore forward scored two goals in a 1-1 week for the Knights against USA South competition. In a 1-0 loss to Brevard, Simister was held scoreless with two shots on goal. In a 4-3 win over Methodist, Simister scored twice, including the game winner with just under seven minutes remaining. Also Nominated: Steven Floyd, Methodist; Luiz Pontes, Brevard; Mohamed Macalou, N.C. Wesleyan; Alex Michael, Pfeiffer.

    Men's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Matheus Rossi, Brevard - The Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil senior goalkeeper posted two shutouts last week against USA South opposition. In 180 minutes played, Rossi stopped five shots faced, two against Southern Virginia and three versus William Peace. Also Nominated: Daan Post, N.C. Wesleyan; Ali Jaafar, Pfeiffer; Jackson Erb, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Vitor Razera, Brevard - The Piracicaba, Brazil freshman defender scored once and helped the Tornados post two shutouts against USA South opposition last week. In a 1-0 win over Southern Virginia, Razera had one shot on goal while in a 1-0 victory over Willian Peace, Razera scored the game-winning goal in the 59th minute. Also Nominated: Landon Stock, Southern Virginia; Wesley Hooker, Pfeiffer; Tobie Smith, N.C. Wesleyan.

  • Women's Soccer Player of the Week
    Shae Brennan, Greensboro - The Massapequa Park, New York freshman defender scored twice last week as the Pride posted a 2-0 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-1 victory over Mary Baldwin, Brennan tied the game with a goal in the 44th minute before adding an insurance tally in the 56th minute. In a 1-0 win over William Peace, Brennan was scoreless but did assist the Pride defensive in posting a shutout. Also Nominated: Mikayla Zvekan, Brevard; Rebecca Morrison, Meredith; Kelsey Burge, Methodist; Makena Meyer, N.C. Wesleyan; Khamani Spencer, Pfeiffer; Matia Murray, Southern Virginia; Mia Rumachik, William Peace.

    Women's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Carolina Simpkins, Methodist - The Sanford, North Carolina junior goalkeeper helped the Monarchs to a 1-1 record last week against USA South competition by allowing one goal and making seven saves in 180 minutes played. In a 3-0 win over Meredith, Simpkins posted a shutout by stopping all four shots faced. In a 1-0 loss to League-leading Southern Virginia, Simpkins collected three saves. Also Nominated: Mackenzie Kirk, William Peace; Grace Walls, N.C. Wesleyan; Khaliah Jones, Meredith; Kaylee Ollis, Pfeiffer; Nicole Arroyo, Brevard; Lindsay Fox, Greensboro.

    Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Shae Brennan, Greensboro - The Massapequa Park, New York freshman defender scored twice last week as the Pride posted a 2-0 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-1 victory over Mary Baldwin, Brennan tied the game with a goal in the 44th minute before adding an insurance tally in the 56th minute. In a 1-0 win over William Peace, Brennan was scoreless but did assist the Pride defensive in posting a shutout. Also Nominated: Kinlee Mozley, Brevard; Kate Conoley, Meredith; Mackenzie Meekins, Methodist; Makena Meyer, N.C. Wesleyan; Jade Watts, Pfeiffer; Nessie Storey, Southern Virginia; Cate Czyzewski, William Peace.

  • Volleyball Player of the Week
    Kelci Brooks, Greensboro - The junior outside hitter from Burlington, North Carolina averaged 3.88 kills and 3.75 digs per set as the Pride posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes Pfeiffer and Methodist. Brooks posted double-doubles in each match with highs of 19 kills, 15 digs (twice), three service aces, and two blocks. Also Nominated: Sydney Bassett, Southern Virginia; Anna Rymer, Salem; Madison Tate, Pfeiffer; Emma Duncan, Meredith; Georgia Grace Anderson, William Peace; Hannah Hewett, Methodist.

    Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
    Gracie Fulton, Southern Virginia - The junior libero from Staunton, Virginia averaged 6.08 digs per set as the Knights posted a 3-0 record last week with wins over USA South opponents Mary Baldwin and William Peace to go along with a victory over Averett. Fulton posted week match-highs of 34 digs, four service aces, three assists, and one kill. Also Nominated: Blake O'Brien, Methodist; Megan Murray, Meredith; Morgan Mayfield, Greensboro; Gabby Edwards, Pfeiffer; Chassie Jacops, William Peace.

    Volleyball Rookie of the Week
    Leah Rymer, Salem - The first-year setter from China Grove, North Carolina averaged 10.70 assists and 1.90 digs per set as the Spirits posted a 3-0 record last week with wins over USA South foes Brevard and N.C. Wesleyan to go along with a victory over Carolina University. Rymer posted week match-highs of 41 assists, nine digs, three service aces, and two kills (twice). Also Nominated: Delaney Lowery, Meredith; Carlyn Tanis, Methodist; Summer Hahn, Southern Virginia; Jacqueline Janecek, William Peace.

  • Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
    Sawyer Helms, Pfeiffer - The Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina junior placed 71st out of 379 runners at the Lehigh Paul Short Run two weeks ago. Helms completed the 8,000-meter course in a time of 25:47. Also Nominated: Jack Barriger, Methodist; Kaelen Ruder, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
    Bricen Burleson, Pfeiffer - The China Grove, North Carolina freshman placed 257th out of 379 runners at the Lehigh Paul Short Run two weeks ago. Burleson completed the 8,000-meter course in a time of 27:36. Also Nominated: Jadon Triola, Methodist; Trey Meraz, Southern Virginia.

  • Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
    Channing Barker, Brevard - The Dunlap, Tennessee graduate student placed fifth out of 168 runners at the Queens Royals Challenge last week. Barker completed the 5,000-meter course in a personal and program best time of 19:27. Also Nominated: Emma Wilson, Methodist; Maddie Hladik, Pfeiffer; Kamryn Bradshaw-Meyer, Southern Virginia.

    Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
    Ryan Germain, Pfeiffer - The Newport, North Carolina freshman placed 333rd out of 407 runners at the Lehigh Paul Short Run two weeks ago. Germain completed the 6,000-meter course in a career-best time of 25:42. Also Nominated: Emma Wilson, Methodist.

PLEASE NOTE: At least half of the teams in a sport must have competed within the previous week for honors to be awarded.