Durugordon named ASUN Newcomer of the Week
Austin Peay State University redshirt sophomore guard Sean Durugordon was named the ASUN Conference Newcomer of the Week. Durugordon, a Harlem, New York, native, averaged 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists last week against Western Kentucky and Tennessee State. He recorded eight points, seven rebounds and two assists, Nov. 30, in a one-point loss to the Hilltoppers in the Winfield Dunn Center. Durugordon posted career-highs in points (24), minutes (40), field goals made (9), and steals (2) and tied a career-high with three assists, Dec. 3, in the Governors’ 77-61 win at home against Tennessee State. He also tallied six boards and a block against the Tigers. Durugordon ranks 10th in the ASUN in 3-point attempts (45).
Young Named Valley Player of the Week
For the first time in its history, the Murray State women’s basketball team has a Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. Junior forward Katelyn Young averaged a double-double over two wins for the Racers last week. Young averaged 21.5 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in the wins over UT Martin and Southern Indiana last week. She finished the two-game span shooting 63.6-percent from the field (14-22), 66.7-percent from 3-point range (4-6) and went a perfect 11-for-11 at the free throw in. The junior tied her career high Wednesday at UT Martin with 31 points to go along with 12 rebounds. On Saturday, she notched her second-straight double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Perry Earns MVC Player of the Week Award
Murray State guard Rob Perry was named the Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week after he led the Racers to a pair of overtime wins to begin the league season. Out of Orlando, Florida, Perry’s 30-point scoring day for the Racers on Sunday, helped MSU win in overtime at Valparaiso. He hit a pair of clutch 3-point baskets on a day when he was 10-of-17 from the field and 5-of-7 from the 3-point line. Against Illinois State (Dec. 1) in the Racers MVC opener, Perry scored 20 points which included the deciding 3-point basket with 1:19 remaining in overtime.
Deone Walker Voted Associated Press Second-Team All-SEC
University of Kentucky true freshman defensive lineman Deone Walker was voted AP Second-Team All-Southeastern Conference. He is the first UK freshman named to the AP All-SEC team since Austin MacGinnis’ first-team honor in 2014. Walker, finished the regular season with 39 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one forced fumble. He has also been named to the Pro Football Focus True Freshman All-America Team and was recently named the SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week on Nov. 28 for his role in UK’s 26-13 win over intrastate rival Louisville. Additionally, Walker was a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award semifinalist and a Midseason True Freshman All-American by several outlets.
Five Wildcats Earn College Football News Freshman All-America Honors
Five Kentucky football players earned Freshman All-America honors from College Football News, it was announced Tuesday. Freshman defensive lineman Deone Walker was named first-team defense, while freshman wide receiver Barion Brown was named third-team offense. Redshirt freshman tight end Jordan Dingle, true freshman wide receiver Dane Key and redshirt freshman defensive back Jordan Lovett all received honorable mention honors.
Keidron Smith Voted Coaches All-SEC Second Team
University of Kentucky senior defensive back Keidron Smith was voted All-Southeastern Conference Second Team by the league’s coaches, it was announced Tuesday. He is the first Kentucky defensive back recognized by SEC coaches since safety Winston Guy in 2011 and first predominantly cornerback since Trevard Lindley in 2008.
Corley and Evans Highlight Eight Hilltoppers on All-Conference USA Teams
Conference USA released its All-Conference teams for the 2022 season Tuesday morning with WKU placing eight players on the various teams. Wide receiver Malachi Corley and linebacker JaQues Evans led the way for the Hilltoppers as WKU’s two first-team honorees.
Kentucky Volleyball Places Four on 2022 AVCA All-Region Team
The Kentucky Volleyball team placed four of its players on the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-Region Team, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon. Emma Grome, Reagan Rutherford, Adanna Rollins and Azhani Tealer were selected to the All-Southeast Region Team, as voted on by the southeast region head coaches. Since 2015, Craig Skinner has placed at least four Wildcats on the AVCA All-Region Team, and in his time as the UK head coach, Kentucky has been honored with a staggering 58 All-Region award winners. By being voted as an all-region representative, those four players will now be thrown into the national pot for qualification into the prestigious AVCA All-America honors. The all-America honorees will be announced during the 2022 NCAA Final Four.
Chaussee Headlines East Region Honors, Five Cards on First Team; Busboom Kelly Named East Region Coach of the Year
The No. 4 ranked University of Louisville volleyball team placed five players on the AVCA All-East Region Team with Claire Chaussee winning East Region Player of the Year and head coach Dani Busboom Kelly being voted East Region Coach of the Year. Chaussee is joined by First Team All-East Region teammates Amaya Tillman, Raquel Lazaro, Aiko Jones and Elena Scott.
Matthews Earns Third Regional Player of the Year; Four Hilltoppers Recognized by AVCA
Lauren Matthews was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) South Region Player of the Year, for the third time in her career on The Hill, in addition to three Hilltoppers earning All-Region status and a fourth collecting honorable mention recognition. Having only become the only Hilltopper to ever repeat as an AVCA Region Player of the Year. The middle hitter also earned the honor following the 2019 and 2021 campaigns. Matthews, along with Paige Briggs landed an All-Region spot for the fourth-straight season, while redshirt-freshman Callie Bauer collected her first AVCA All-Region honor. Katie Isenbarger landed Honorable Mention All-Region for the second time in her career, as well.
Mitch Barnhart Receives John L. Toner Award
University of Kentucky Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart received the 2022 John L. Toner Award Tuesday night in Las Vegas during the annual National Football Foundation Awards Dinner in Las Vegas.
Austin Reed Wins C-USA Newcomer of the Year
WKU quarterback Austin Reed has been named Conference USA’s Newcomer of the Year for the 2022 season. Reed led the Hilltoppers to an 8-5 record in the regular season, and a subsequent birth in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Reed was among the best passers in the nation this year, throwing for 4,249 yards and 36 touchdowns. Reed’s yardage and touchdown totals were second and fourth in the entire country, respectively. The Florida native’s 272 points responsible for were also the second-most in all of college football, and the most among all players in the Group of Five conferences.
Two Wildcats Named MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists
Seniors Eythor Bjorgolfsson and Luis Grassow are among 15 MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalists, United Soccer Coaches and the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) announced on Wednesday. The MAC Hermann Trophy is the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer and has been awarded annually since 1967.
Three Wildcats Earn SEC All-Freshman Honors
Three University of Kentucky freshmen were named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, it was announced Thursday by the league office. Barion Brown earned the honor as a wide receiver, all-purpose player and return specialist, while Jager Burton was one of four offensive linemen on the team. Deone Walker also earned a spot as a defensive lineman.