General

USA South Athletes of the Week - January 26, 2026

  • Men's Basketball Player of the Week
    Doug Smith, Pfeiffer - The Bodin, North Carolina senior forward nearly notched his second triple-double of the season in the team's only contest of last week, an 89-75 win over USA South rival Methodist. Smith tallied a double-double with career-highs of 27 points and 18 rebounds to go along with eight blocks and two assists without committing a turnover. Also Nominated: Tillman Johnson, Southern Virginia; DJ Jackson, Greensboro; Dontavious Pettaway, Methodist; Rashod Smith, N.C. Wesleyan; Jadon Carnes, Brevard.

    Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
    Ashton Davis, Southern Virginia - The Apex, North Carolina freshman center tallied his third-straight 20+ point performance by scoring 25 points in the team's lone contest last week, a 96-81 victory over USA South foe Brevard. Davis also added four rebounds, one assist, and one block in the victory. Also Nominated: Jatavion Zellner, Pfeiffer; Ro'Mello Pegues, N.C. Wesleyan.

  • Women's Basketball Player of the Week
    Dorinda Jordan, N.C. Wesleyan - The Durham, North Carolina junior forward scored a game-high 21 points in the team's lone contest last week, a 68-50 win over USA South foe William Peace. Jordan also added five rebounds, three assists, and one steal without committing a turnover in the victory. Also Nominated: Kayden Johnson, Brevard; Kayleen Grullon, Methodist; Lola Cabaniss-Ali, Pfeiffer; Abigail Snyder, Southern Virginia; Amiah Griffin, William Peace.

    Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
    Samantha Smith, Southern Virginia - The freshman guard from American Fork, Utah averaged 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game as the Knights posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes. In an 83-54 win over Greensboro, Smith totaled seven points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one block. In a 72-68 victory over Brevard, Smith scored 12 points with four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Also Nominated: Tatum Bradford, Greensboro; Ensley Perry, William Peace.

  • Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
    Ja'Mario Young, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Alexandria, Virginia competed in two events last week at the VMI Invitational. In the 200 meters, Young placed second with a time of 21.75 and fourth in the 60 meters with a time of 6.91. Also Nominated: Taylor Weiland, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
    Noah Boykin, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Four Oaks, North Carolina competed in the shot put at last week's VMI Invitational. Boykin finished fourth with a best throw of 14.80 meters which sets a new USA South record. Also Nominated: McCormick Johnson, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Indoor Track Rookie of the Week
    Ja'Mario Young, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Alexandria, Virginia competed in two events last week at the VMI Invitational. In the 200 meters, Young placed second with a time of 21.75 and fourth in the 60 meters with a time of 6.91. Also Nominated: Taylor Weiland, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Indoor Field Rookie of the Week
    Noah Boykin, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Four Oaks, North Carolina competed in the shot put at last week's VMI Invitational. Boykin finished fourth with a best throw of 14.80 meters which sets a new USA South record. Also Nominated: AJ Word, Southern Virginia.

  • Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
    Bayleigh Redd-Armstrong, Southern Virginia - The junior from Spanish Fork, Utah competed in two events at the Liberty Open last week. In the 3,000 meters, Redd-Armstrong set a new USA South record, program record, and personal best by finishing in 10:01.99. She also ran the mile in a time of 5:09.33. Also Nominated: Delaney Bundy, Meredith; Kamiyah Wooten, N.C. Wesleyan.

    Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
    Bryanna Herring, Meredith - The sophomore from Brockport, New York competed in two events at the Liberty Open last week. Herring set a new USA South and program record with an effort of 16.19 meters. She also had an effort of 8.73 meters in the shot put. Also Nominated: NaQuayla Stanford, N.C. Wesleyan; Mikki Prows, Southern Virginia.

    Women's Indoor Track Rookie of the Week
    NaQuayla Stanford, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Jacksonville, North Carolina competed in two track events at the VMI Invitational last week. In the 200-meter finals, Stanford ran it in 24.97 while also being a part of the 4x400 meter relay team. Also Nominated: Juana Silva Jimenez, Meredith.

    Women's Indoor Field Rookie of the Week
    NaQuayla Stanford, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Jacksonville, North Carolina competed in one field event at the VMI Invitational last week. In the long jump, Stanford set a new USA South record with a leap of 5.55 meters. Also Nominated: Jane Gray Zechini, Meredith; Andie Hughes, Southern Virginia.

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