SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced its February athletes of the month for baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s lacrosse, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and wrestling on Thursday, highlighting excellence among student-athletes during the month.
BASEBALL
Player
Heath Quinn, Samford, OF, Jr.
Samford outfielder Heath Quinn hit a league-best .545 in February, smashing a SoCon-leading seven home runs and posting a conference-best 1.333 slugging percentage. The junior from Birmingham, Ala., also led the league with 18 hits, 13 runs and 44 total bases – nearly double teammate Austin Edens’ total of 25 in the runner-up spot – as the Bulldogs opened the season 5-3. Quinn turned in five multiple-hit games in the month, including a 5-for-5 effort in which he hit for the cycle and recorded five RBIs and three runs scored against Butler in his second game of the season, on Feb. 20. He homered in each of Samford’s first three games and went 4-for-5 on opening day. Quinn hit three home runs in game two of a doubleheader with BYU on Feb. 26, adding a double and driving in seven runs in the contest. He also homered in game one, giving him four on the day. Quinn was named the SoCon Player of the Week for both weeks of the opening month of play.
Others nominated: Stephen Windham (The Citadel), Hagen Owenby (ETSU), Kyle Lewis (Mercer), Dillon Stewart (UNCG), Garrett Brown (Western Carolina) and McClain Bradley (Wofford).
Pitcher
Will Stillman, Wofford, Sr., RHP
Wofford closer Will Stillman was nearly flawless in February, as the senior right-hander went 5-for-5 in save opportunities as the Terriers opened the season 7-0 for the second straight season. The Charlotte, N.C., native posted a 0.00 ERA and allowed just two singles in the month for a .091 average against him. Stillman struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter in 6 2/3 innings over five appearances. He picked up his first save of the season by striking out the side in the ninth inning of a 5-4 win over No. 25 Kentucky to open the season and followed that with a save over No. 26 Stony Brook the following day, working 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He added saves against USC Upstate, Evansville and UNC Asheville, going two innings against the Purple Aces. A member of the watch list for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, Stillman moved into second in school history in saves during the month.
Others nominated: JP Sears (The Citadel), Blake Smith (ETSU), Tylor Lobus (Mercer), Andrew Wantz (UNCG) and Jared Brasher (Samford).
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Torrion Brummitt, Western Carolina, Sr., F
Western Carolina’s Torrion Brummitt led the Catamounts to a 7-2 record during February. The senior nearly averaged a double-double as he posted 16.0 points and 9.0 rebounds during the month. The Columbus, Ga., native posted four double-doubles during the month and scored in double figures in eight of nine games. Brummitt shot 56 percent from the field and was even better from 3-point range, connecting on 60 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc. He added 16 assists, nine blocked shots and eight steals in February for the Catamounts.
Others nominated: Diante Baldwin (UNCG), Stephen Jelks (Mercer), Christen Cunningham (Samford) and Fletcher Magee (Wofford).
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Kahlia Lawrence, Mercer, So., G
Kahlia Lawrence helped lead Mercer to its first SoCon regular-season title in program history during the month of February, averaging 19.7 points and 6.0 rebounds across seven contests. The Columbus, Ga., native scored in double digits in six games and scored at least 20 points in four games last month with a 20-point outing in a win over Western Carolina on Feb. 4 and a 21-point performance in a triumph at ETSU on Feb. 18. The SoCon’s Player of the Year closed out the regular season in impressive fashion, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting in a 64-50 victory over Wofford on Feb. 25. Lawrence then torched Furman for 34 points (16-of-29 from the field) to lead the Bears past the Paladins, 64-62, to clinch a share of the regular-season title on Feb. 27.
Others nominated: Shamauria Bridges (ETSU), Destiney Elliott (Samford), Keiana Gilbert (Chattanooga), Ace Easter (Western Carolina) and Kentra Washington (Wofford).
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Track
Arsène Guillorel, Samford, So.
Samford’s Arsène Guillorel nabbed most outstanding men’s track performer honors at the SoCon Indoor Track and Field Championships, which were held Feb. 26-27 in Birmingham, Ala. The Samford sophomore shattered the SoCon men’s 5,000-meter record, clocking a time of 13:55.73. His mark broke the previous league record of 14:06.00, which was set in 1981 by ETSU’s Adrian Leek. It also set a facility record at the Birmingham CrossPlex. The Pontchateau, France, native added a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 8:09.62 to help the Bulldogs’ men’s team to a second-place finish in the team competition with 129 points.
Field
Jordan White, VMI, R-Jr.
VMI’s Jordan White, a redshirt junior for the Keydets, finished second in the shot put at the SoCon Indoor Track and Field Championships with a mark of 16.20 meters (53-1.75) and won the weight throw with a heave of 19.21 meters (63-0.25), which was the only throw of 19 meters or longer at the meet. The Owensboro, Ky., product helped the Keydet men to a third-place finish at the meet, and the league’s coaches named White the most outstanding men’s field performer for his efforts at the championship.
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
Track
Allie Buchalski, Furman, Jr.
Buchalski recorded a sweep of the 3,000- and 5,000-meter runs at the SoCon Indoor Track and Field Championships with times of 9:21.20 and 17:23.19, respectively. The junior added a win in the mile run with a time of 4:51.84 and contributed 30 points to the Paladins en route to earning women’s most outstanding athlete honors at the meet. She was also named most outstanding women’s track performer for her efforts at the championship, as voted on by the league’s coaches.
Field
Hailey Cook, Western Carolina, Jr.
Western Carolina’s Hailey Cook, a junior for the Catamounts, swept the shot put and weight throw titles at the SoCon Indoor Track and Field Championships with marks of 14.65 meters (48-0.75) and 17.23 meters (56-6.50), respectively. She helped the Catamount women to a second-place finish at the meet and garnered most outstanding women’s track performer for her pair of first-place finishes. She claimed the monthly award for the second straight month.
MEN’S LACROSSE
Offense
Dan Lomas, High Point, Sr., A
Dan Lomas, a senior attacker, netted 15 goals and recorded a pair of assists for High Point in February as the Panthers took on a challenging nonconference slate. The Burlington, Ontario, product scored two goals at then-No. 3 Duke in the Panthers’ 2016 debut and went on to record four goals each in the next three contests, against Boston College and top-10 foes Maryland and Virginia. Lomas’ signature performance came in High Point’s dramatic 12-11 overtime upset of the then-10th-ranked Cavaliers on Feb. 23 in Charlottesville, Va. His fourth goal – the overtime game-winner – gave the Panthers their first win over a top-10 team in program history. Lomas currently ranks tops in the conference and 11th in the country in goals per game (3.00).
Others nominated: Chris Walsch (Air Force), Dakota Rohlin (Jacksonville), Lucas Wittenberg (Mercer) and Dan Ginestro (Richmond).
Defense
Doug Gouchoe, Air Force, Sr., GK
Doug Gouchoe was a steady presence in the net for Air Force in February, registering 49 saves and posting a 7.46 goals against average in five games. The senior from Concord, Mass., was able to hold off Marist in a four-overtime thriller on Feb. 20, racking up a career-high 19 saves in the Falcons’ 7-6 victory. He also helped lead Air Force to wins over Dartmouth (10 saves) and Sacred Heart (eight saves) during the month. Gouchoe garnered defensive player of the week honors on Feb. 23 for his play. He currently checks in 12th nationally in goals against average (7.87).
Others nominated: Zack Price (High Point) and Ryan Dennis (Richmond).
SOFTBALL
Player
Danielle Vega, UNCG, Sr., 3B
Vega had an efficient month for UNCG, hitting .429 (15-for-35) at the plate and knocking in 14 runs in 14 games. The senior third baseman had four multi-base hits – three doubles and a home run – and crossed the plate three times herself as the Spartans notched a record of 7-7 in February. Her best performance came in a 12-8 win over Big 12 foe Kansas. Vega was 2-for-4 with four RBIs against the Jayhawks, including a grand slam to pad the Spartans’ lead late in the contest. She led all SoCon players in on-base percentage (.565) in February and currently ranks third in the conference in RBIs (19).
Others nominated: Bethany Cowart (ETSU), Hannah Reynolds (Furman), Emma Andrew (Mercer), Callie Brister (Samford), Jordan Fortel (Chattanooga) and Taylor Sigmon (Western Carolina).
Pitcher
Cori Jennings, Chattanooga, So., LHP
Jennings, a sophomore, went 5-2 in February, maintaining a 1.67 ERA through 46 innings of work. The left-hander fanned 45 batters across her eight total appearances in the circle. On Feb. 12, Jennings tossed a complete game and allowed only two hits in the Mocs’ 3-1 win over Liberty. A week later, she struck out a season-high 13 batters and pitched eight innings as UTC downed Wright State, 4-3. The Brush Creek, Tenn., native also provided a complete-game shutout in a 3-0 win over Eastern Illinois on Feb. 26. Jennings led the league in ERA in February and was tied for first in wins.
Others nominated: Lindsey Fadnek (ETSU), Mollie Hanson (Samford) and Courtney Buchanan (Western Carolina).
MEN’S TENNIS
Fares Kilani, Samford, Sr.
Samford’s Fares Kilani went 4-2 in singles play in February and was 3-2 in doubles competition as part of Samford’s top pair. Kilani was 3-2 at No. 1 singles and claimed a victory at No. 2 singles in February. The senior posted a pair of straight-sets wins and also claimed two victories in three-set matches. He finished the month of February winning four of his last five singles matches. In doubles play, Kilani teamed with Justin Ghavami and was 2-2 during the month. The Tunis, Tunisa, native also paired with Austin Heinz and picked up at win at No. 3 doubles.
Others nominated: David Biosca (ETSU), Ben Horst (Furman), Connor Thompson (Mercer), Lucas Plesky (Chattanooga) and Haris Poric (Wofford).
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Kayla Jones, Chattanooga, Sr.
Chattanooga’s Kayla Jones was 4-1 at No. 1 singles and posted a perfect 5-0 mark with Kelsey Coots at No. 1 doubles as the Mocs were a perfect 5-0 in February. Jones opened the month with a three-set win over Middle Tennessee’s Darya Shulzhanock (6-1, 3-6, 6-2) before winning her next three matches in straight sets. Jones and Coots continued their strong play in doubles action, with the closest decision of the month coming in a 6-4 win over Evansville’s Marina Darzyan and Marina Moreno.
Others nominated: Ioanna Markesini (ETSU), Gabby Rodriguez (Furman), Katia Stravoulaki (Mercer), Masey DeMoss (UNCG), Carita Moolman (Samford), Stacia Kissell (Western Carolina) and Catherine Martin (Wofford).
WRESTLING
Denzel Dejournette, Appalachian State, R-Jr., 285 pounds
Appalachian State’s Denzel Dejournette went 4-0 in February, picking up wins over opponents from No. 25 Chattanooga, VMI, No. 5 Missouri and Indiana. Dejournette allowed just one opponent to score a point on him in the month. The redshirt junior from Winston-Salem, N.C., opened his month with the match-clinching 6-0 win over No. 11 Jared Johnson as the Apps handed the Mocs their first SoCon dual loss in four years, snapping UTC’s 27-match win streak in league action. Dejournette followed that with consecutive pins, sticking VMI’s Tasi Mathias as the Mountaineers clinched a share of the SoCon title and pinning James Romero of the fifth-ranked Tigers. Dejournette finished his February with a 5-1 win over Indiana’s Garret Goldman in Appalachian State’s win over the Hoosiers in the NWCA National Duals Championship Series.
Others nominated: Nathan Kraisser (Campbell), Aaron Walker (The Citadel), Chris Johnson (SIUE) and Scottie Boykin (Chattanooga).
Southern Conference February Athletes of the Month
Baseball – player Heath Quinn, Samford
Baseball – pitcher Will Stillman, Wofford
Men’s basketball Torrion Brummitt, Western Carolina
Women’s basketball Kahlia Lawrence, Mercer
Men’s indoor track & field – track Arsène Guillorel, Samford
Men’s indoor track & field – field Jordan White, VMI
Women’s indoor track & field – track Allie Buchalski, Furman
Women’s indoor track & field – field Hailey Cook, Western Carolina
Men’s lacrosse – offense Dan Lomas, High Point
Men’s lacrosse – defense Doug Gouchoe, Air Force
Softball – player Danielle Vega, UNCG
Softball – pitcher Cori Jennings, Chattanooga
Men’s tennis Fares Kilani, Samford
Women’s tennis Kayla Jones, Chattanooga
Wrestling Denzel Dejournette, Appalachian State
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