General

USA South Athletes of the Week - February 23, 2026

  • Men's Basketball Player of the Week
    Jadon Carnes, Brevard - The Concord, North Carolina senior forward averaged 33.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game last week as the Tornados posted a 1-1 record against USA South foes. In a 108-81 win over Greensboro, Carnes scored a career-high 33 points with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. In an 86-77 loss to N.C. Wesleyan, Carnes matched his career-high with 33 points again to go along with four rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Also Nominated: Nasir Johnson, N.C. Wesleyan; Doug Smith, Pfeiffer; Jude Ballstaedt, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
    Austin Mitchell, Southern Virginia - The Clinton, Utah freshman forward averaged 11.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per game last week as the Knights posted a 2-1 record. In an 83-71 win over USA South rival Mary Baldwin, Mitchell notched a double-double of 14 points and ten rebounds to go along with two assists and one block. In a 91-77 loss to eighth-ranked Mary Washington, Mitchell scored 11 points with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Finally, in an 88-75 victory over USA South foe William Peace, Mitchell contributed eight points, ten rebounds, and one steal. Also Nominated: None.

  • Women's Basketball Player of the Week
    Abigail Snyder, Southern Virginia - The Rocky Ford, Colorado senior guard averaged 23.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game as the Knights posted a 1-1 record against USA South competition last week. In a 90-33 win over Mary Baldwin, Snyder, in 28 minutes played, posted a double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds to go along with seven assists and four steals. In a 69-64 loss at Pfeiffer, Snyder scored 31 points with nine rebounds, and two assists. Also Nominated: Molly Zuburg, Meredith; Ava Hairston, Pfeiffer; Tatum Bradford, Greensboro; Olivia Miller, Brevard; Zikira Henderson, William Peace.

    Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
    Molly Zuburg, Meredith - The freshman guard from Raleigh, North Carolina averaged 16.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.3 steals per game as the Avenging Angels posted a 3-0 record last week against USA South foes. In a 57-54 win over Salem, Zuburg scored 17 points with seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists. In a 57-53 victory over Greensboro, Zuburg totaled 19 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Finally, in a 71-66 victory at Mary Baldwin, Zuburg notched a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with seven assists and two steals. Also Nominated: Tatum Bradford, Greensboro; Ensley Perry, William Peace.

  • Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
    Jordan Jones, Pfeiffer - The sophomore from Gastonia, North Carolina competed in two events at the at the ASICS Last Chance Invitational last week. In the 60 meters, he set a new program record with a time of 6.89 while in the 200 meters, his 21.85 finish is currently sixth in the region. Also Nominated: Jamel Corey, N.C. Wesleyan.

    Men's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
    Antonio King, Brevard - The senior from Pamlico County, North Carolina competed in two events at two meets last week. At the East Coast Elites event, King competed in the shot put, with a toss of 13.48 meters, and the weight throw, with a best effort of 13.11 meters. At the ASICS Last Chance Invitational, King put up a 14.35-meter effort in the weight throw, the best mark in the Conference so far this season while also posting a 14.16-meter throw in the shot put. Also Nominated: Noah Boykin, N.C. Wesleyan; McCormick Johnson, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Indoor Track Rookie of the Week
    Jamel Corey, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Winterville, North Carolina participated in two events last week at the South Carolina Invitational. In the 200 meters, Corey set the current seventh best time in the region with a 22.29 while in the 60 meters, his time of 6.92 is currently the tenth-best in the region. Also Nominated: Isaiah Watts, Pfeiffer; Eran James, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Indoor Field Rookie of the Week
    Noah Boykin, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Four Oaks, North Carolina participated in two events last week at the South Carolina Invitational. In the shot put, he put up an effort of 14.12 meters while in the weight throw, he had a toss of 12.45 meters. Also Nominated: Kamren Jenkins, Methodist; Rahnier Lyons, Pfeiffer; Saxon Byers, Southern Virginia.

  • Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week
    Kamiyah Wooten, N.C. Wesleyan - The junior from Farmville, North Carolina competed in two events at the South Carolina Invitational last week. In the 200 meters, Wooten finished in a time of 24.21 which is the current top-effort in the USA South and the region while sitting third in all of Division III. In the 400 meters, Wooten's time of 56.73 is the current top-effort in the USA South and the region while sitting 17th in all of Division III. Also Nominated: Bayleigh Redd-Armstrong, Southern Virginia.

    Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week
    Marin Simons, Southern Virginia - The sophomore from Silt, Colorado competed in the high jump at the Rockingham Collegiate Classic last week, clearing 1.63 meters. Also Nominated: NaQuayla Stanford, N.C. Wesleyan.

    Women's Indoor Track Rookie of the Week
    Saniya Hall, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Winston-Salem, North Carolina competed in two events at the South Carolina Invitational last week. In the 400 meters, Hall's time of 58.21 is currently third-best in the USA South and eighth in the region. In the 200 meters, Hall finished in a time of 25.45 which is a new personal record. Also Nominated: Amee Newman, Southern Virginia.

    Women's Indoor Field Rookie of the Week
    NaQuayla Stanford, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from Jacksonville, North Carolina competed in the long jump at the South Carolina Invitational last week. Her leap of 5.41 meters is ranked number-one in the USA South and the region. Also Nominated: Kadance Sawyer, Southern Virginia.

  • Baseball Player of the Week
    Evan Sykes, Greensboro - The senior shortstop from Graham, North Carolina went a combined 8-for-16 (.500) with a .529 on-base percentage, and a 1.000 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, six RBI, five doubles, one home run, and one walk as the Pride posted a 3-1 record last week. In a 16-0 loss to Roanoke, Sykes was 2-for-2 with two doubles. In a three-game sweep of Averett, Sykes was a combined 6-for-14 with five runs scored, six RBI, three doubles, one home run, and one walk. Also Nominated: Lucas Woodard, Brevard; Israel Ortiz, Methodist.

    Baseball Pitcher of the Week
    Zack Geertsen, Southern Virginia - The senior from Draper, Utah started one game last week for the Knights, earning a no-decision in a 7-6 victory over Regent. Geertsen tossed five innings and allowed five runs, just one of them earned, on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Also Nominated: Isaiah Ralls, Greensboro.

    Baseball Rookie of the Week
    Brayden Sands, Greensboro - The freshman infielder from Bradenton, Florida went a combined 8-for-14 (.571) with a .625 on-base percentage, and a .929 slugging percentage to go along with nine runs scored, four RBI, two doubles, one home run, and two walks as the Pride posted a 3-1 record last week. In a 16-0 loss to Roanoke, Sands was 0-for-1. In a three-game sweep of Averett, Sands was a combined 6-for-13 with nine runs scored, four RBI, two doubles, one home run, and two walks. Also Nominated: Bronson Shaikh, Methodist; Moe Love, Brevard; Tyler Bales, Southern Virginia.

    Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
    Mason Mosteller, Pfeiffer - The freshman from Hildebran, North Carolina earned in a win in his only appearance last week. a 14-11 win over Swarthmore. Out of the bullpen, Mosteller tossed 2.2 scoreless and hitless innings, allowing one walk with four strikeouts. Also Nominated: Isaiah Ralls, Greensboro; Benjamin Jackson, Southern Virginia.

  • Softball Player of the Week
    Hayden Moody, Brevard - The junior designated player from Gastonia, South Carolina went a combined 5-for-6 (.833) with an .833 on-base percentage, and a 1.333 slugging percentage to go along with three runs scored, four RBI, one double, one triple, and one stolen base in the team's lone contests last week, a doubleheader sweep of Johnson & Wales (N.C.). Also Nominated: Katherine Connell, Greensboro; Ashbee Standridge, Meredith; Karma Morrison, Salem.

    Softball Pitcher of the Week
    Anna Frazier, Greensboro - The senior from Supply, North Carolina has earned two wins in two starts so far this season for the Pride. In 12.0 total innings pitched, Frazier has allowed one run on eight hits with one walk and five strikeouts. In a 3-1 win over Roanoke, Frazier went five innings, allowing one run on three hits with zero walks and five strikeouts. In a 1-0 victory over Averett, Frazier tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing five hits with one walk. Also Nominated: Elizabeth Auciello, Brevard; Lillie Davis, Meredith.

    Softball Rookie of the Week
    Emma Payne, Brevard - The freshman outfielder from Candler, North Carolina went a combined 4-for-4 (1.000) with an .833 on-base percentage, and a 1.250 slugging percentage to go along with two runs scored, four RBI, one double, and one walk in the team's lone contests last week, a doubleheader sweep of Johnson & Wales (N.C.). Also Nominated: None.

    Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
    Kenly Brown, Greensboro - The freshman from Greensboro, North Carolina has earned one win in two appearances so far this season for the Pride. In 6.1 total scoreless innings pitched, Brown has allowed three hits and one walk with two strikeouts. In a 3-2 win over Roanoke, Brown got the victory in relief, going 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with one strikeout. In a 2-1 loss to Averett, Brown kept the opponents at bay with 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout. Also Nominated: Victoria Phagan, Brevard; Kendall Wallace, N.C. Wesleyan.

  • Men's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
    Alex Mattoon, Greensboro - The junior attackman from Hanover, Pennsylvania totaled 18 points on 13 goals and five assists to go along with six ground balls and one caused turnover as the Pride posted a 2-0 record last week. In a 26-9 win at Guilford, Mattoon scored five goals with three assists, six ground balls, and one caused turnover. In a 27-4 victory over Averett, Mattoon tallied eight goals with two assists. Also Nominated: Jaxon McMonigle, Huntingdon; William English, William Peace; Gage Khayat, Brevard; Zach Avila, Piedmont; Stetson Hogge, Southern Virginia.

    Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
    Braeden Mitchell, Greensboro - The junior goalie from Aurora, Colorado total 85:41 in net over two wins last week for the Pride, making 14 total goals while allowing six goals. In a 26-9 win at Guilford, Mitchell played 45 minutes, allowing four goals with nine saves. In a 27-4 victory over Averett, Mitchell played just over 40 minutes, allowing two goals with seven saves and one ground ball. Also Nominated: Jameson Murray, Brevard; Mike Eisele, Piedmont; Britton Tidwell, Southern Virginia; Caden Tuthill, William Peace.

    Men's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
    Caden Tuthill, William Peace - The freshman defender from Clayton, North Carolina caused a game-high five turnovers and grabbed five ground balls in the team's lone contest last week, a 9-8 win over Guilford. Also Nominated: Colin Eifler, Brevard; Hunter Rives, Huntingdon; Grady Eyler, Piedmont; Jack Steele, Greensboro; Britton Tidwell, Southern Virginia.

  • Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
    Kenzie Todd, Meredith - The junior attacker from Brookfield, Connecticut totaled 18 points on 15 goals and three assists to go along with three caused turnovers, two ground balls, and two draw controls, as the Avenging Angels posted a 3-0 record last week. In a 24-1 win over USA South foe Greensboro, Todd scored five times with one assist, two caused turnovers, and one ground ball. In a 15-4 victory at Berry, Todd notched six goals with two assists and one caused turnover. Finally, in an 18-6 win at Oglethorpe, Todd totaled four goals, two draw controls, and one ground ball. Also Nominated: Skyla Jo Charette, Pfeiffer; Payton Hill, Huntingdon; Lovette Choloh, Piedmont; Xan Hill, Brevard.

    Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
    Madison Dean, Meredith - The junior midfielder from Southport, North Carolina totaled three caused turnovers, nine ground balls, and 19 draw controls, to go along with three goals and two assists, as the Avenging Angels posted a 3-0 record last week. In a 24-1 win over USA South foe Greensboro, Dean had one caused turnover, seven draw controls, one goal and two assists. In a 15-4 victory at Berry, Dean grabbed four ground balls and draw controls each with two goals. Finally, in an 18-6 win at Oglethorpe, Dean totaled two caused turnovers, five ground balls, and eight draw controls. Also Nominated: Analise Robinson, Pfeiffer; Amanda Barrett, Piedmont; Kyla Smith-Fondall, Brevard; Savanna Burnett, Southern Virginia.

    Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
    Quinn Branca, Pfeiffer - The freshman midfielder from Mays Landing, New Jersey totaled 11 points on ten goals and one assist with 11 ground balls, six draw controls, and five caused turnovers as the Falcons posted a 2-0 record last week. In a 13-8 win over Eastern Mennonite, Branca scored five times with five ground balls and three draw controls. In a 24-0 victory over Sweet Briar, Branca again scored five goals to go along with one assist, six ground balls, five caused turnovers, and three draw controls. Also Nominated: Avery Washington, Piedmont; Gia Purcell, Meredith; Sydney Mikula, Huntingdon.

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