SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference announced its January athletes of the month today, highlighting excellence among student-athletes during the month. The athletes of the month are nominated by each member institution and selected by the conference office.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Andrew Goudelock, College of Charleston, Jr., G
The Cougars went 8-2 in the month of December and were led by Goudelock, who averaged 22.0 points per game. No point was bigger than his three-pointer against then No. 9 North Carolina to tie the game and send it into overtime in the Cougars' upset win. Goudelock scored 20 or more points in nine of 10 games during the month while connecting on 45 percent (27-of-60) of his three-point attempts. The junior also averaged 4.5 assists per contest, including a career-high 11 against Western Carolina.
Other Nominees: Donald Sims (Appalachian State), Cameron Wells (The Citadel), JP Kuhlman (Davidson), Drew Spradlin (Elon), Amu Saaka (Furman), Ben Stywall (UNC Greensboro), Ty Patterson (Chattanooga), Brandon Giles (Western Carolina) and Noah Dahlman (Wofford).
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Emily London, Samford, Jr., G
Emily London averaged 18.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in helping lead Samford to a 7-1 record in the month of January. London scored over 20 points in four of the eight games, including a school-record 35 at Davidson. She also recorded her first career double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds at Appalachian State. London made 54 percent of her field goal attempts this month.
Other Nominees: Anna Freeman, (Appalachian State), Erika Williams (College of Charleston), Alex Thompson, (Davidson), Urysla Cotton (Elon), Carolyn Whitney (Georgia Southern), Shanara Hollinquest (Chattanooga) and Mahagony Williams (Wofford).
WRESTLING
Josh Wine, VMI, Jr., 285 pounds
Wine went 8-0 in January, with each match as a dual victory. The junior heavyweight went 2-0 against SoCon opponents, defeating The Citadel's Odie Delaney, 12-5, and Davidson's Charlie Wolff, 7-1. Other standout wins for Wine included a 9-3 decision over Duke's Andrew Fulk, a 5-2 victory over N.C. State's Eloheim Palma and a 3-1 win in the tiebreaker over Liberty's Josh Pelletier.
Other Nominees: Josh Condon (Chattanooga), Austin Trotman (Appalachian State), Tyler Mullen (Davidson) and Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (The Citadel).
MEN'S INDOOR TRACK
Tom Divinnie, Davidson, Sr., Distance Runner
Divinnie set two new Davidson school records as well as personal bests at the Liberty Open January 29-30. Divinnie ran 14:44.59 to win the 5K on the first night, breaking the school record by 17 seconds. The next afternoon he won the mile in 4:16.30. Both of these marks lead the conference along with his conference leading 3K time (8:24.59, personal record, new school record) from the previous weekend. His 3K time on the tight-cornered UNC indoor track was almost 20 seconds faster than his previous best and broke the school record by almost 11 seconds
Other Nominees: Alex Taylor (Appalachian State), Josey Weaver (Western Carolina) and Dominique Young (Western Carolina)
MEN'S INDOOR FIELD
Malcolm Styers, Appalachian State, Jr., Throws
Styers placed first in the weight throw with a distance of 56' 6", and fifth in the shot put with a distance of 47' 7 3/4" at the Eddie & Jo Smith, Jr. Tar Heel Invitational (UNC). He is currently ranked first in both events in the SoCon.
Other Nominees: Darius Purcell (Appalachian State) and Michael Seaman (Samford)
WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK
Katie Hansen, UNC Greensboro, Graduate Student, Distance Runner
Hansen finished second in the 3k at the Niswonger Invitational (January 22-23). A native of Portland, Ore., her time of 10:05.98 broke the school record by 26 seconds.
Other Nominees: Ashley McKiver (Appalachian State) and Andrea Kelsey (Wofford)
WOMEN'S INDOOR FIELD
Whitney Smyre, Appalachian State, Sr., Throws
Smyre won both the shot put and 20lb. weight at the Tar Heel Invitational. Her tosses of 44-6.75 and 56-0, respectively, currently lead the conference rankings.
Other Nominees: Julie Ward (Appalachian State) and Chelsea Taylor (College of Charleston)