Football

USA South Athletes of the Week - October 20, 2025

  • Football Offensive Player of the Week
    Devin Watson, Southern Virginia - The West Jordan, Utah junior quarterback passed for 302 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-13 win over USA South foe Methodist last week. Watson was 29-for-40 through the air while also rushing for a total of 12 yards. Also Nominated: Caleb Gallashaw, Belhaven; Michael Hays, LaGrange; Nahjiir Seagraves, N.C. Wesleyan.

    Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
    Sean Cartwright, N.C. Wesleyan - The Newport, North Carolina freshman wide receiver caught a touchdown pass in a 21-20 win over USA South rival Huntingdon last week. Cartwright caught two passes for a total of 50 yards which included a 39-yard score in the second quarter to give the Battling Bishops the lead. Also Nominated: Camron Torrence-Kelly, Greensboro.

    Football Defensive Player of the Week
    Icarius Hodgin, Belhaven - The Munford, Tennessee senior safety collected five total tackles, including one for a loss, and returned an interception for a touchdown in a 41-26 victory over USA South foe Greensboro last week. Hodgin's 28-yard pick-six came in the third quarter and swung the game's momentum, putting the Blazers up two scores en route to the win. Also Nominated: Curtis Bowden Jr., Brevard; Jadon Barnes, Greensboro; Braylon Miller, Huntingdon; Dezmond Jones, LaGrange; Britton Tidwell, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
    Britton Tidwell, Southern Virginia - The Bountiful, Utah freshman linebacker collected eight total tackles, including one for a loss, and returned a fumble for a touchdown in a 30-13 win over USA South foe Methodist last week. Tidwell's 75-yard scoop-and-score turned a positive Monarch drive into the first score of the game, giving the Knights a lead they would never relinquish. Also Nominated: Donovan Reid, Brevard; Elijah Hebron, Greensboro; Rashad Walker, Huntingdon; Zymarion Hudson, LaGrange; Mathias Winston, N.C. Wesleyan.

    Football Special Teams Player of the Week
    Wilson McMinn, N.C. Wesleyan - The Greenville, North Carolina senior linebacker stepped into a new role as place kicker and connected on all three of his point-after-touchdown attempts in a 21-20 win over USA South rival Huntingdon last week. McMinn's final extra point in the third quarter ultimately proved to be the difference in the game. Also Nominated: Kyle Norris, Belhaven; Alex Passey, Southern Virginia.

  • Men's Soccer Player of the Week
    Ausar Omwenga, William Peace - The Cary, North Carolina senior forward scored once with one assist in the team's lone contest last week, a 2-0 win over USA South foe Southern Virginia. Omwenga was in on both goals of the match as he first assisted on the eventual game-winner in the 29th minute before scoring an insurance goal of his own in the 82nd minute. Also Nominated: Tom Roantree, N.C. Wesleyan; Gustav Ohman, Greensboro; Wesley Hooker, Pfeiffer.

    Men's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Ayden Miller, William Peace - The Wake Forest, North Carolina senior goalkeeper posted a shutout in the team's lone contest last week, a 2-0 win over USA South foe Southern Virginia. Miller stopped all six shots he faced to grab his fourth shutout of the season. Also Nominated: Juan Cabrera, Pfeiffer; Corentin Solitaire, N.C. Wesleyan; Alvaro Hermosa, Greensboro.

    Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Barrett Owens, Pfeiffer - The Inman, South Carolina freshman midfielder scored once with an assist in a 2-0 week for the Falcons. In a 4-0 win over Warren Wilson, Owens scored the team's second goal of the match in the 48th minute. In a 2-1 victory over Mary Baldwin, Owens assisted on the eventual game-winning goal in the 11th minute. Also Nominated: Will Hall, Brevard; Gustav Ohman, Greensboro; Mikkel Christensen, N.C. Wesleyan; Ibra Ndiaye, William Peace.

  • Women's Soccer Player of the Week
    Delin Peterson, Southern Virginia - The Queen Creek, Arizona freshman forward scored three times with two assists as the Knights posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes. In a 1-0 win over Greensboro, Peterson assisted on the game-winner in the 76th minute. In a 7-0 victory at Pfeiffer, Peterson tallied a hat trick with three goals while assisting on the eventual game-winning score in the 24th minute. Also Nominated: Darilyn Nieto, Salem; Mikayla Zvekan, Brevard; Haley Cousins, Methodist; Jaelyne Thornton, Meredith.

    Women's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Nico Arroyo, Brevard - The Yulee, Florida senior goalkeeper posted a shutout in the lone contest she appeared in last week, a 2-0 win over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan. Arroyo played all 90 minutes in net, stopping all four shots faced. Also Nominated: Hailey Gadd; Southern Virginia; Shyann Hansen, Greensboro; Samantha Woodfin, Meredith; Kaylea Carter, Methodist; Michaela Iapaluccio, Salem.

    Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Delin Peterson, Southern Virginia - The Queen Creek, Arizona freshman forward scored three times with two assists as the Knights posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes. In a 1-0 win over Greensboro, Peterson assisted on the game-winner in the 76th minute. In a 7-0 victory at Pfeiffer, Peterson tallied a hat trick with three goals while assisting on the eventual game-winning score in the 24th minute. Also Nominated: Carissa Jenkins, Brevard; Gabby Riemer, Methodist; Shyann Hansen, Greensboro; Michaela Iapaluccio, Salem.

  • Volleyball Player of the Week
    Payton Shiflet, Greensboro - The senior outside hitter from Asheboro, North Carolina averaged 6.12 points, 5.62 kills, while hitting at a .335 clip, and 2.54 digs per set as the Pride posted a 4-0 record last week with wins over USA South foes William Peace, Methodist, and Pfeiffer, to go along with a victory over Randolph. Shifley posted one double-double along with week match-highs of 24 kills, 12 digs, two blocks, and one service ace (three times). Also Nominated: Aubrey Packer, Southern Virginia; Aspen Bradley, Salem; Abby Lewis, Pfeiffer; Daven Brabble, Southern Virginia; Tameka Adams, William Peace; Izzy Boulay, Brevard.

    Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
    Morgan Mayfield, Greensboro - The senior libero from Mount Airy, North Carolina averaged 5.77 digs per set as the Pride posted 4-0 record last week with wins over USA South foes William Peace, Methodist, and Pfeiffer, to go along with a victory over Randolph. Mayfield posted week match-highs of 25 digs, five service aces, four assists, and one kill (twice). Also Nominated: Megan Murray, Meredith; Madison Bozarth, Salem; Gracie Fulton, Southern Virginia; Gracie Payne, William Peace; Madison Tate, Pfeiffer; Jaxson Tumicki, Brevard.

    Volleyball Rookie of the Week
    Abigail Kelly, Brevard - The freshman outside hitter from Portland, Texas averaged 2.80 kills and 2.10 digs per set as the Tornados posted a 2-1 record last week with wins over Warren Wilson and N.C. Wesleyan coupled with a loss to Southern Virginia. Kelly posted week match-highs of a 11 kills, nine digs, one assist, one block, and one service ace (twice). Also Nominated: Addison Johnson, Methodist; Aubrey Chesson, William Peace; Sadie Schramm, N.C. Wesleyan; Enjoli Allen, Greensboro; Emma Broadbent, Southern Virginia; Anasty Faavesi, Pfeiffer; Taylor Cook, Salem.

  • Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
    Sawyer Helms, Pfeiffer - The Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina senior placed 13th out of 239 runners at the Roanoke South Region Showdown last week. Helms completed the 8,000-meter course in a time of 25:16. Also Nominated: Taylor Weiland, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
    Jorge Clemente-Garcia, Pfeiffer - The China Grove, North Carolina freshman placed 26th out of 239 runners at the Roanoke South Region Showdown last week. Clemente-Garcia completed the 8,000-meter course in a time of 25:57. Also Nominated: Taylor Weiland, Southern Virginia.

  • Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
    Emma Hillam, Southern Virginia - The Fruitland, Idaho sophomore placed tenth out of 200 runners at the Roanoke South Region Showdown last week. Hillam completed the 6,000-meter course in a personal-best time of 22:33. Also Nominated: Ryan Germain, Pfeiffer.

    Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
    Kaylee Horner, Southern Virginia - The Springfield, Virginia freshman placed 20th out of 200 runners at the Roanoke South Region Showdown last week. Horner completed the 6,000-meter course in a time of 22:59. Also Nominated: None.

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