General

USA South Athletes of the Week - October 19, 2026

  • Football Offensive Player of the Week
    Jalen Lackey, Southern Virginia - The Fredericksburg, Virginia junior wide receiver set a new NCAA-era single-game program record with 201 yards receiving and three touchdowns in a 36-0 win over USA South foe Methodist last week. Lackey caught 13 passes for an average of 15.5 yards per reception. Also Nominated: Julien Tabor, Belhaven; Shy Grant, Brevard; Michael Hays, LaGrange; Cameron Turner, Greensboro.

    Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
    Matthew Dial, Belhaven - The Ocala, Florida freshman quarterback threw for 146 yards with two touchdowns in a comeback win over USA South rival Greensboro, 19-10, last week. Dial was 13-for-17 through the air while also carrying the ball for 15 yards. Also Nominated: Kendrick Worthington, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Player of the Week
    Ched Smith, LaGrange - The Macon, Georgia junior linebacker collected 12 total tackles including 3.5 for a loss in a 21-10 win at USA South rival Brevard last week. Smith made nine solo tackles, including three for a loss with a sack, to go along with three assisted take downs. Also Nominated: Jimmy Byrd, Belhaven; Will Hadden III, Brevard; Charlie Rogers, Greensboro; Ty Smith, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
    Ethan Eby, Southern Virginia - The Sisters, Oregon freshman linebacker collected nine total tackles with 1.5 for a loss in a 36-0 shutout over USA South foe Greensboro last week. Eby totaled four solo tackles and five assisted takedowns. Also Nominated: Quincy Jackson, Belhaven; Scoot Colyer, Greensboro; Christopher Sutton, LaGrange.

    Football Special Teams Player of the Week
    Jacob Cook, Greensboro - The Wake Forest, North Carolina junior place kicker connected on each kick he attempted last week in a 19-10 loss to USA South rival Belhaven. Cook was true from 33 yards out to open the game's scoring and later made his only point-after-touchdown effort. He also handled the kickoff duties with one touchback. Also Nominated: Glen Kelly, Brevard.

  • Men's Soccer Player of the Week
    Carson Stretz, Methodist - The Virginia Beach, Virginia senior forward scored twice in the team's only contest last week, a 4-0 win over USA South rival Brevard. Stretz tallied goals two and four for the Monarchs in the victory. Also Nominated: Chris Rodriguez, William Peace; Jade Diane, Greensboro; Wesley Hooker, Pfeiffer; Jesper Fornebo, N.C. Wesleyan; Landon Stock, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Alvaro Arroyo, Greensboro - The Valladolid, Spain senior goalkeeper posted a 1-1 record last week for the Pride. In a total of 180 minutes played, Arroyo allowed four goals while making 20 total saves. In a 2-0 loss at Division I Duke, Arroyo stopped 12 of 14 shots on goal. In a 4-2 victory over USA South foe William Peace, Arroyo collected eight saves. Also Nominated: Trey Gohr, Methodist; Jordi Rodriguez, N.C. Wesleyan; Seth Limbert, Pfeiffer; Josh Woffinden, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Chris Rodriguez, William Peace - The Wilson, North Carolina freshman midfielder scored four goals with one assist in a 1-1 week for the Pacers against USA South foes. In an 8-0 win over Mary Baldwin, Rodgriguez notched a hat trick of three goals, including the eventual game-winner, to go along with one assist. In a 4-2 loss to Greensboro, Rodgriguez opened the scoring on a penalty kick. Also Nominated: Riccardo Baisi, N.C. Wesleyan; Kayden Brimah, Greensboro; Cade Bierman, Pfeiffer; Zack Snow, Southern Virginia.

  • Women's Soccer Player of the Week
    Ashlee Kelsey, Southern Virginia - The Mesa, Arizona sophomore forward scored twice in a 1-1 week for the Knights. In a 4-0 loss to Mary Washington, Kelsey was held without a shot. In a 2-0 victory over USA South foe Meredith, Kelsey scored both goals, including the game-winner in the 56th minute. Also Nominated: Francine Rast, Meredith; Trinity Robinson, Greensboro; Kerlyn Navarrete Trejos, William Peace; MK Smoak, Brevard; Quinn Branca, Pfeiffer; Addison Hannigan, Mary Baldwin.

    Women's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Grace Walls, N.C. Wesleyan - The Moyock, North Carolina junior goalkeeper posted a 1-1 record with one shutout last week for the Battling Bishops. In 180 total minutes played, Walls allowed two goals while making nine saves. In a 2-1 loss against Regent, Walls collected one save. In a scoreless draw with Brevard, Walls stopped all eight shots faced to hold the Tornados scoreless for the first time in 26 regular season USA South games. Also Nominated: Abby Nunez, Brevard; Delaney Thompson, Meredith; Jerusalen Gonzalez, Pfeiffer; Ashley Hamblin, Southern Virginia; Sierra Minor, William Peace.

    Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Delaney Thompson, Meredith - The Hope Mills, North Carolina freshman goalkeeper posted a 1-1 record last week with one shutout again USA South foes. In 180 total minutes played, Thompson allowed two goals while making 14 saves. In a 3-0 shutout of William Peace, Thompson stopped all three shots faced. In a 2-0 loss at USA South-leader Southern Virginia, Thompson collected 11 saves. Also Nominated: Rheanne Fleming, Pfeiffer; Alyssa Lane, Greensboro; Halle Willardson, Southern Virginia; Dixie Barnes, William Peace.

  • Volleyball Player of the Week
    Leah Rymer, Salem - The junior setter from China Grove, North Carolina averaged 5.38 assists, 4.00 digs, and 2.63 kills per set as Salem posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes (Greensboro and Pfeiffer). Rymer posted one triple-double along with a double-double and week-match of 23 digs, 22 assists, 11 kills, and one service ace. Rymer currently leads all of Division III with seven triple-doubles. Also Nominated: Addison Johnson, Methodist; Caitlyn Russell, Meredith; Anne Downs, Southern Virginia; Caroline Moon, Brevard; Jada Thomas, Pfeiffer; Victoria Harrison, Mary Baldwin; Larkin Baxley, Greensboro.

    Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
    Sadie Lippard, Salem - The freshman from Randleman, North Carolina averaged 7.38 digs per set as Salem posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes (Greensboro and Pfeiffer). Lippard posted week match-highs of 36 digs, three assists, and two service aces. Also Nominated: Morgan Mayfield, Greensboro; Megan Murray, Meredith; Ashley Farman, Methodist; Molly Wright, Pfeiffer; Emma Fontana, Brevard.

    Volleyball Rookie of the Week
    Sadie Lippard, Salem - The freshman from Randleman, North Carolina averaged 7.38 digs per set as Salem posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes (Greensboro and Pfeiffer). Lippard posted week match-highs of 36 digs, three assists, and two service aces. Also Nominated: Rowan Raney, Brevard; Dilynn Norris, Greensboro; Victoria Harrison, Mary Baldwin; Griffin Scarlet, Meredith; Harper Evans, Methodist; Leigan Lusk, Pfeiffer; Adah Elam, Southern Virginia.

  • Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
    Bricen Burleson, Pfeiffer - The China Grove, North Carolina junior competed in two events the past two weeks. First, he placed tied for 49th out of 248 runners at the Queens Royals Gold Invitational two weeks ago, completing the 8,000-meter course in a time of 25:14. This week, Burleson placed 28th out of 344 runners at the USC Upstate Invitational, completing the 8,000-meter course in a program-record time of 24:46. Also Nominated: Ethan Carlan, Brevard.

    Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
    Kovyk Chandler, Southern Virginia - The Buena Vista, Virginia freshman competed in two events the past two weeks. First, he placed second out of 42 runners at the Longwood Lancer Pink Invitational two weeks ago, completing the 8,000-meter course in a time of 26:06. This week, Chandler placed third out of 172 runners at the Roanoke South Region Showdown, completing the 8,000-meter course in a personal-best time of 25:13. Also Nominated: Caden Fuller, Brevard; Aiden Edwards, Pfeiffer.

  • Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
    Bayleigh Armstrong, Southern Virginia - The Spanish Fork, Utah senior competed in two events the past two weeks. First, she placed second out of 50 runners at the Longwood Lancer Pink Invitational two weeks ago, completing the 5,000-meter course in a time of 17:59. This week, Armstrong placed fourth out of 259 runners at the Connecticut College Invitational, completing the 6,000-meter course in a personal-best and program-record time of 20:55. Also Nominated: Karley Call, Brevard; Delaney Bundy, Meredith; Makayla Borst, Pfeiffer; Beatrix Alvarez, Salem.

    Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
    Amee Newman, Southern Virginia - The Lovell, Wyoming sophomore, in her first season of collegiate cross country, competed in two events the past two weeks. First, she placed eighth out of 50 runners at the Longwood Lancer Pink Invitational two weeks ago, completing the 5,000-meter course in a time of 19:22. This week, Newman placed 125th out of 259 runners at the Connecticut College Invitational, completing the 6,000-meter course in a personal-best time of 22:57. Also Nominated: Karley Call, Brevard; Gabi Perez, Greensboro; Izabella Delli Colli, Pfeiffer; Beatrix Alvarez, Salem.

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