USA South Athletes of the Week - Oct. 15, 2012

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.)

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Tim Reynolds, Ferrum - The sophomore quarterback from Arlington, Virginia accumulated  391 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in a 51-35 victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan. Reynolds was 11-of-23 (47.8%) through the air for 258 yards with two touchdown passes. On the ground, he gained 133 yards rushing with one touchdown. Also Nominated: Antwan Thorpe, Greensboro; Ed Johnson, Maryville; James Beavans, Methodist; Kent Gibson, LaGrange; Wynton Stephens, Averett.

Football Defensive Player of the Week
Tarrell Owens, Ferrum - The Sterling, Virginia junior defensive back tied a single-game school record by intercepting three passes in a 51-35 victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan. Owens' pick-offs came in the first and fourth quarters and led to a total of 13 Panther points. He also collected two solo tackles and three pass break-ups in the win. Also Nominated: Brad Wade, Methodist; Dylan Wolfenbarger, Maryville; Evan Moog, Christopher Newport; P.G. Standard, LaGrange; Zachary Grkman, Averett.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Scott Puschell, Ferrum - The Chantilly, Virginia senior field goal kicker was a perfect 3-for-3 in a 51-35 victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan. Puschell connected on kicks of 29, 32 and 44 yards. He also was a perfect 6-for-6 on point after touchdown attempts. Also Nominated: Ryan Ristaino, Averett; Will Jeffcoat, LaGrange.

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Erik Nordseth, Methodist - The sophomore forward from Steinkjer, Norway helped the Monarchs to a 3-0 record last week by scoring five goals with two assists for 12 points. In a 6-0 win over Marymount, Nordseth tallied a hat trick of three goals, including the eventual game-winner, and also added two assists. In a 6-1 win over USA South foe LaGrange, Nordseth opened the scoring with a goal in the 15th minute. Finally, in a 3-0 win over USA South rival Piedmont, Nordseth notched an insurance score in the 77th minute. Also Nominated: Andrew Bonorden, Christopher Newport; Christian Boakye, N.C. Wesleyan; Earl Floyd, Greensboro; Kevin Vigebo, Averett; Payne Fisher, Maryville.

Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Manbi Nyepon, Greensboro - The junior goalkeeper from Liberia, West Africa collected two wins in a 2-0-1 week for The Pride. In 267 minutes of action, Nyepon did not allow a goal and made 19 saves. In a 2-0 win over St. Mary's, Nyepon stopped all four shots he faced en route to the shutout. In a 4-0 victory over USA South foe Ferrum, Nyepon played the first 67 minutes and collected three saves. Finally, in a 0-0, double-overtime, tie versus USA South foe Maryville, Nyepon stopped 12 shots. Also Nominated: Fabian Broich, N.C. Wesleyan; John Robertson, Maryville; Nate Barker, Averett; Tommy O'Neal, Christopher Newport.

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Dani Gunderson, Christopher Newport - The Newport News, Virginia senior midfielder tallied four goals in a 2-0 week for the Captains versus USA South competition. In a 7-0 win over William Peace, Gunderson notched her first career hat-trick with three goals, including the eventual game-winner. In a 2-1, overtime, victory over Meredith, Gunderson scored the first goal of the match in the 20th minute. Also Nominated: Allison Gibson, Greensboro; Ashley Howarth, Maryville; Laura Goodwin, Piedmont; Nadja Sandau, Averett; Rebecca Staylor, N.C. Wesleyan.

Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Meghan Gumbs, Christopher Newport - The Mastic, New York senior goalkeeper collected two wins in a 2-0 week for the Captains versus USA South competition. Gumbs played all 190 minutes last week, allowed just one goal, stopped four shots and earned one shutout. In a 7-0 win over William Peace, Gumbs stopped all three shots she faced to collect the shutout. In a 2-1, overtime, win over Meredith, Gumbs made one save. Also Nominated: Kayla Kiernozek, Meredith; Malin Borjesson, Averett.

Volleyball Player of the Week
Bailey Jensen, Christopher Newport - The senior middle blocker from Ashburn, Virginia averaged 3.7 kills, a .441 hitting percentage, 1.1 digs and 0.9 blocks per set last week as the Captains posted a 5-0 record. In a 3-0 win at USA South foe William Peace, Jensen posted nine kills, two service aces, two digs and two blocks in two just two sets. In a 3-1 win over 23rd-ranked Southwestern, Jensen totaled 16 kills, four blocks, three digs, one assist and one service ace. In a 3-0 victory over UMass-Boston, Jensen contributed eight kills, five digs, two assists, two blocks and one service ace. In a 3-0 win over Tufts, Jensen recorded seven kills, three blocks, three service aces and two digs. Finally, in a 3-0 victory over Endicott, Jensen totaled 15 kills, four digs, two blocks and one service ace. Also Nominated: Allison Sparks, Averett; Kaitlin Norman, Piedmont; Kelsey Handel, Maryville; Lauren Naugle, William Peace.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Abby Hogge, Christopher Newport - The senior defensive specialist from Clifton, Virginia averaged 6.1 digs per set last week as the Captains posted a 5-0 record. In a 3-0 win at USA South foe William Peace, Hogge posted 12 digs and one assist. In a 3-1 win over 23rd-ranked Southwestern, Hogge totaled 32 digs and one assist. In a 3-0 victory over UMass-Boston, Hogge contributed 25 digs, one assist and one service ace. In a 3-0 win over Tufts, Hogge recorded 16 digs, two service aces and one assist. Finally, in a 3-0 victory over Endicott, Hogge totaled 12 digs and two service aces. Also Nominated: Brooke Norris, William Peace; Danielle Simpson, Greensboro; Paige Aaron, Averett.

Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Aaron Zook, Christopher Newport - The junior from Harrisonburg, Virginia placed tenth out of 124 runners last week at the CNU Invitational in Newport News, Virginia. Zook completed the 8K course in a time of 26:16, helping the Captains to a fifth place team finish. Also Nominated: Travis Wilson, Maryville; Wes Milton, Piedmont.

Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Sophia Stone, Mary Baldwin - The junior from Pacific Palisades, California placed first out of 394 runners last week at the Gettysburg College Invitational. Stone completed the 6K course in a meet-record time of 21:48, helping the Fighting Squirrels to a 24th place team finish. Also Nominated: Karen Bumiller, Christopher Newport; Morgan Youd, Meredith.

Rookies of the Week

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Evan Pittenger, Maryville - The freshman quarterback from Fayetteville, Tennessee accumulated 256 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in a 28-24 victory over USA South foe Methodist. Pittenger was 20-of-30 (66.7%) through the air for 215 yards with two touchdown passes. On the ground, he gained 41 yards rushing with one touchdown. Also Nominated: Brad Finney, Averett; Eddie West, Greensboro; Paul Dukes, Christopher Newport.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Christian Best, Averett - The freshman linebacker from Richmond, Virginia totaled a team high nine tackles in an 18-16 loss to USA South rival Greensboro. Best collected seven solo tackles and two assisted take downs including one tackle for a loss of two yards. Also Nominated: Zach Capehart, Maryville.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Mike Ilodigwe, Methodist - The freshman midfielder from Wilmington, Delaware scored three goals with one assist for seven points in a 3-0 week for the Monarchs. In a 6-0 win over Marymount, Ilodigwe tallied a goal in the 28th minute. In a 6-1 win over USA South foe LaGrange, Ilodigwe scored Methodist's third and fourth goals of the match before assisting on the fifth. Finally, in a 3-0 win over USA South rival Piedmont, Ilodigwe was held scoreless. Also Nominated: Anders Dahner, Averett; Andri Bjarnason, N.C. Wesleyan; Drew Clukey, Greensboro; Mark Brewington, Christopher Newport; Patrick Braxton, Maryville.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Sarah Olsowski, N.C. Wesleyan - The Chesapeake, Virginia freshman midfielder tallied three goals last week as the Bishops posted a 2-1 record. In a 4-2 win over Hollins, Olsowski scored an insurance goal in the 65th minute. In a 4-2 loss to USA South foe Piedmont, Olsowski did all she could as she scored both Bishop goals. Finally, in a 3-2 victory over USA South rival LaGrange, Olsowski was held scoreless but did manage three shots. Also Nominated: Chelsea Wolfe, Christopher Newport; Frida Olofsson, Averett; Marianna Mitterling, William Peace; Sierra Siegel, Maryville.

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Sophia del Campo, Maryville - The freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist from Miami, Florida averaged 3.7 digs and 1.5 kills per set last week as the Scots posted a 2-0 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-0 win over Meredith, del Campo recorded eight digs, six kills and three assists. In a 3-0 victory over Averett, del Campo recorded 14 digs, three kills, one assist and one block. Also Nominated: Julia Mainwaring, William Peace; Karly Klimas, Methodist; Lindsey Boles, Averett; Olivia Gough, Greensboro.

Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Josh Showalter, Christopher Newport - The freshman from Leesburg, Virginia placed 34th out of 124 runners last week at the CNU Invitational in Newport News, Virginia. Showalter completed the 8K course in a time of 27:31, helping the Captains to a fifth place team finish. Also Nominated: None.

Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Eliza Eaton, Christopher Newport - The freshman from Christiansburg, Virginia placed 23rd out of 147 runners last week at the CNU Invitational in Newport News, Virginia. Eaton completed the 6K course in a time of 24:19, helping the Captains to a first place team finish. Also Nominated: Allie Gallagher, Meredith; Camilla Loggins, Maryville.

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