Five Student-Athletes Honored for Excellence in Competition
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
Jake Cohen, Davidson, Jr., F
Cohen averaged 18.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots per game in a 7-1 month for the Wildcats that propelled them into first place in the SoCon South Division standings. The junior forward had five consecutive games with 20-plus points and two double-doubles during the month. He matched a career high with 29 points to go along with 12 rebounds in a win over Georgia Southern and collected 29 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in a victory over College of Charleston. Cohen shot 59 percent from the floor, 50 percent from 3-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw line for the month.
Other Nominees: Omar Carter (Appalachian State), Mike Groselle (The Citadel), Jack Isenbarger (Elon), Derrell Armstrong (UNCG), Drew Windler (Samford), Ricky Taylor (Chattanooga), Trey Sumler (Western Carolina) and Brad Loesing (Wofford).
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson, Jr., F
Davidson's Sophia Aleksandravicus led the Wildcats to a 6-2 month by averaging a double-double (15.3 points, 11 rebounds) in eight games. She scored in double figures in all eight games with two games where she scored 20-plus points. The junior forward blocked 41 total shots including two games with seven blocks before setting a new school and conference record of nine blocks in Davidson's win over Furman. She also registered 69 defensive rebounds with a career-best 17 coming at Appalachian State. The Pound Ridge, N.Y., native scored a season-high 23 points with 10 rebounds in a home victory over Elon early in January.
Other Nominees: Maryah Sydnor (Appalachian State), Latisha Harris (College of Charleston), MiMi DuBose (Georgia Southern), Breonna Patterson (UNCG), Paige Anderson (Samford), Whitney Hood (Chattanooga), Kaila'Shea Menendez (Western Carolina) and Logan Morris (Wofford).
MEN'S INDOOR TRACK
Paul Chelimo, UNCG, So.
UNCG's Paul Chelimo won the mile at the Hokie Invitational at Virginia Tech, with a conference-leading time of 4:08. The Kenyan native broke his personal best and the UNCG school record with his performance. Chelimo also holds the conference-leading 800 time midway through the season.
WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK
Ashley Schnell, UNCG, Sr.
UNCG's Ashley Schnell won the 800 meter race at the Dick Taylor Invitational hosted by the University of North Carolina. The Lincoln, Neb., native's time of 2:11.52 was nearly six seconds faster than the second-place finisher. Her time broke her own school record which she set last season at the Tiger Paw Invitational. Schnell's 800 meter time leads the conference halfway through the season.
WRESTLING
Nick Soto, Chattanooga, Fr., 133 Pounds
Soto burst onto the scene with an 11-1 overall mark and a 3-0 SoCon ledger during the month of January. The freshman, 133-pounder broke into the top 20 with a second-place finish at the prestigious Southern Scuffle and is now ranked as high as 13th nationally. At that event, Soto defeated No. 5 David Thorn (5-1 2OT) of Minnesota in the semifinals en route to a runner-up finish. He followed that with seven straight wins to close out the month, including a 3-0 mark at the Lone Star Duals and three consecutive SoCon victories. Soto currently stands 20-4 overall and 4-0 in SoCon matches this season.
Other Nominees: Kyle Blevins (Appalachian State), John Weakley (Campbell), Odie Delaney (The Citadel) and Matthew Brock (VMI).
Southern Conference January Athletes of the Month
Men's Basketball Jake Cohen, Davidson
Women's Basketball Sophia Aleksandravicius, Davidson
Men's Indoor Track Paul Chelimo, UNCG
Women's Indoor Track Ashley Schnell, UNCG
Wrestling Nick Soto, Chattanooga