SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? The Southern Conference announced its Athletes of the Month today for the month of January. Athletes from the following winter sports were chosen: men’s basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling, men’s and women’s track and field. The athletes are chosen by the conference sports information directors for basketball and wrestling and the league head coaches in track and field.
Men’s Basketball
Davidson guard Stephen Curry has been named Athlete of the Month for Men’s Basketball. The junior averaged 28 points, 5.8 assists, four rebounds and 2.9 steals per game during the month in leading the Wildcats to a 9-1 record.
Curry was named SoCon Player of the Week three times during January, making his total for the season seven, which broke his own SoCon record for most awards during the season. During the month, he also scored his 2,000th point for his career and moved into the top 20 on the NCAA career three-point list and the top 10 on the SoCon career scoring list. Curry scored 20 or more points in nine games and 30 or more in five games and has won all three Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Month awards.
Also nominated for this month’s award were Appalachian State’s Kellen Brand, Chattanooga’s Kevin Goffney, The Citadel’s Demetrius Nelson, Elon’s Ola Atoyebi, Georgia Southern’s Antonio Hanson, Western Carolina’s Harouna Mutombo and Wofford’s Noah Dahlman.
Women’s Basketball
Chattanooga forward Shanara Hollinquest has been named Athlete of the Month for Women’s Basketball. The junior averaged 18.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game during the month in leading the Lady Mocs to a 7-1 record.
Hollinquest scored in double figures in all eight games, highlighted by a career-best 35 points in a 76-69 win over Davidson. She was named Player of the Week once during the month and was named the November Athlete of the Month earlier this season.
Also nominated for this month’s award were Wofford’s Natalie Gramblin, Samford’s Savannah Hill, Western Carolina’s Brooke Johnson, Georgia Southern’s Ashley Melson, UNC Greensboro’s Monique Floyd, Davidson’s Mercedes Robinson, College of Charleston’s Jade Hughes and Appalachian State’s Brittany Mixon.
Wrestling
Chattanooga 141-lb wrestler Cody Cleveland has been named Athlete of the Month for Wrestling.
For the month Cleveland went 7-0, with three SoCon wins and two pins. Cleveland is ranked No. 9 in the country for the 141-lb. weight class. During the month, the junior won a major decision over No. 12 Marcus Hoehn of Missouri. Cleveland is now 19-4 overall on the season and 4-0 in SoCon action.
Also nominated for this month’s award were Appalachian State’s Frank Celorrio, The Citadel’s Keith Koziel, Davidson’s Ben Altman, UNC Greensboro’s Mitchell Johnson and VMI’s Leon Barrow.
Men’s Indoor Track and Field
Track
Western Carolina track athlete Manteo Mitchell has been named Athlete of the Month for Men’s Indoor Track.
Mitchell was the first collegiate runner and second runner overall to cross the finish line in the 400-meter run at the Niswonger Invitational this past weekend. The senior currently holds the top time in the SoCon in the 400 and the second-best time in the 60-meter run. The Mooresboro, N.C., native is also a member of the top-ranked 4x100-meter run in the conference.
Also nominated for this month’s award was Furman’s Patrick Morgan.
Field
Appalachian State field athlete Mark Sturgis has been named Athlete of the Month for Men’s Indoor Field.
Sturgis won the triple jump at last week’s Niswonger Invitational with a NCAA Provisional mark of 15.52 meters. The jump ranks the senior first in the SoCon and 24th nationally. The Woodleaf, N.C., native also placed eighth in the long jump with a mark of 22’ 3 ?”.
Women’s Indoor Track and Field
Track
Western Carolina track athlete Jane’t Carothers has been named Athlete of the Month for Women’s Indoor Indoor Track.
During the first month of the season, Carothers set a facility record at Appalacian State’s Holmes Center in the 400-meter run with a time of 55.63. She also was a member of the Catamounts’ Holmes Center record 4x400-meter relay team that ran a time of 3:48.16.
Also nominated for this month’s award were Appalachian State’s Meg Gaffney and Western Carolina’s Felicia Paulding.
Field
College of Charleston field athlete Emily Smith has been named Athlete of the Month for Women’s Indoor Field.
Smith began the month by tying for first place in the high jump at the UNC Classic with a leap of 1.68 meters. The freshman followed up that performance with a winning jump of 1.74 meters at the Niswonger Invitational. On the season, Smith has won or tied for first in all three of her meets and is already the College of Charleston record holder in the high jump.
Also nominated for this month’s award were Appalachian State’s Danielle Thorpe and Rebecca Haseltine.