Sunshine State Conference Weekly Awards: February 20 - 26
Weekly Honors in basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, and golf
SSC Athletes of the Week | February 20 - 26, 2023
Sunshine State Conference Athletes of the Week are chosen from a pool of nominees for their performances during the week of February 20 - 26, 2023. Athletic Communication Directors of member institutions nominate athletes.
Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Kanon Koster / Saint Leo / Jr. / Guard / Kearney, Nebraska
Koster repeats as Player of the Week after helping Saint Leo secure the #2 seed in the 2023 SSC Men's Basketball Tournament following two conference wins. The Kearney, Nebraska native began the week with a game-high 30 points and team-high nine rebounds in a crucial 93-76 win over Florida Southern. He followed with a game-high 27 points and seven rebounds in an 87-53 win over Eckerd. Koster totaled 57 points by shooting 64% from the field (18-28), 57% from behind the arc (4-7), and 94% from the free-throw line (17-18). He averaged 28.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while playing 57 minutes.
Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week
RJ Sunahara / Nova Southeastern / Jr. / Forward / Bay Village, Ohio
Sunahara is named Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in 2022-23 following his play in a pair of conference wins. The junior registered three blocks, two steals, and two defensive rebounds in an 88-78 win at Eckerd. During the season finale, a 98-90 win over Embry-Riddle, Sunahara tallied three blocks, a steal, and a defensive board. Offensively, the Bay Village, Ohio native scored 24 points and added seven assists last week. With the play of Sunahara, NSU completed its second straight undefeated regular season. The weekly award is the ninth of his career, placing him second all-time among NSU student-athletes and second all-time among SSC men's basketball athletes.
Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Sofia Persson / Eckerd / Jr. / Guard / Arvika, Sweden
Persson picks up Player of the Week after leading Eckerd to the #2 seed in the 2023 SSC Women's Basketball Tournament following two conference wins. In an 80-63 win over Nova Southeastern, Persson scored a team-high 18 points and pulled in a game-high 11 rebounds while also dishing one assist. The Swede then led Eckerd to a 76-69 road win over Saint Leo to close out the regular season. The junior guard recorded a 28-point / 11-rebound double-double in the victory; both stats were game-highs. Person scored 46 points last week by shooting 41% from the field (16-39), 50% from behind the arc (4-8), and 91% from the line (10-11). Persson averaged 23.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while playing 76 minutes. The weekly award is the sixth of her career.
Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week
Sydney Kin / Tampa / Sr. / Forward-Center / Carey, Ohio
Kin is selected Defensive Player of the Week for the fourth time in 2022-23 following Tampa's wins over Barry and Florida Tech. The Carey, Ohio native tallied two steals, a block, and eight defensive rebounds in UT's 74-46 win at Barry. Against Florida Tech, Kin had six blocks, two steals, and nine defensive rebounds, helping the Spartans secure a 64-41 win and clinch the SSC title outright. Kin scored 31 points and recorded eight offensive rebounds in the two contests. The weekly award is the eighth of her career, which ties the most awards won by an SSC athlete in a single academic year.
Baseball Player of the Week
Drew Cavanaugh / Florida Southern / So. / Catcher / Rochester Hills, Michigan
Cavanaugh is tabbed Player of the Week for the second time in 2023 after his performance in a three-game set against Eckerd. The sophomore catcher recorded a .500/.667/1.100 slash line following a 5-for-10 effort at the plate, four walks, and a hit-by-pitch in 15 plate appearances. Cavanaugh drove in five runs, scored six times, and hit two home runs as the Moccasins took all three games against the Tritons. Defensively, the Rochester Hills, Michigan product had 33 putouts and two assists in 35 chances.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Eli Thurmond / Tampa / So. / Bradenton, Florida
Thurmond garners Pitcher of the Week by leading Tampa to a conference win at Palm Beach Atlantic last week. The Bradenton, Florida native gave the Spartans seven scoreless innings in his game two start. He allowed one hit and no walks while fanning six batters. Thurmond finished as the winning pitcher in the 10-2 Tampa victory.
Softball Player of the Week
Alexis Smith / Nova Southeastern / Sr. / Outfield / Tampa, Florida
Smith collects Player of the Week for the second time in 2023 with her play in a three-game series against Rollins. The Sharks' lead-off hitter went 3-for-6 at the plate, drew five walks, scored four times, and drove in four runs as the Sharks took two-of-three from the Tars. Smith hit a home run in the series finale and stole five bases, including three in game two. Smith finished the week with a .500 batting average, a .667 on-base percentage, and a 1.000 slugging percentage. Defensively, the outfielder registered 10 putouts in 11 chances. The weekly award is the third of her career.
Softball Pitcher of the Week
Kayla Betts / Saint Leo / Jr. / Leesburg, Florida
Betts is named Pitcher of the Week for the second time in 2023 after earning two wins against Barry. The Leesburg, Florida native started the first game of the series for the Lions, where she tossed a one-hit complete game. Betts allowed three walks, one earned run, and struck out seven in the 2-1 victory. The junior found her way back to the circle in relief during game three. In 4.1 innings of work, Betts allowed four hits, a walk, a hit by pitch, and no runs while striking out nine to earn the win in the 6-0 SLU victory. Betts recorded a .139 opponent batting average and struck out 16 hitters to secure the third weekly award of her career.
Men's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Jack Johnstone / Rollins / So. / Midfield / Newnan, Georgia
Johnstone acquires Offensive Player of the Week for his play in Rollins' two Top-20 road victories last week. The midfielder from Newnan, Georgia, tallied three goals, an assist, and four groundballs in a 17-10 win at No. 15 Anderson to start the week. The sophomore followed up with a game-high six goals in the Tars' 22-12 win at No. 17 Newberry. Johnstone scored his nine goals on 18 shots and 12 shots on goal.
Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Shahe Katchadurian / Rollins / Gr. / Goal / Goldens Bridge, New York
Katchadurian gathers Defensive Player of the Week laurels following his performances in Rollins' two Top-20 road victories last week. The Goldens Bridge, New York product began the week with 13 saves while facing 21 shots on goal in a 17-10 win at No. 15 Anderson. In the Tars' 22-12 win at No. 17 Newberry, Katchadurian faced 20 shots on goal during his 45 minutes in net, making 10 saves.
Men's Lacrosse Specialist of the Week
Michael Flores / Saint Leo / Jr. / FOS / Apopka, Florida
Flores repeats as Specialist of the Week for his performance in the X in non-conference action at Palm Beach Atlantic. The Apopka, Florida product took 15 of 19 faceoffs for a .789 win percentage. The junior also picked up a game-high 10 ground balls and added an assist in the Lions' 23-8 victory. The weekly award is the third of his career.
Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Giana Murphy / Florida Southern / So. / Attack / Manorville, New York
Murphy claims Offensive Player of the Week laurels after pacing Florida Southern to a 15-10 victory over No. 2 Adelphi. The sophomore from Manorville, New York tallied game-highs in goals (5), assists (2), and points (7) in the win. Murphy scored her five goals off five shots, and two of her scores came unassisted. She also tallied a draw control and caused turnover in the contest.
Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Alex Walling / Tampa / Sr. / Goal / San Diego, California
Walling garners Defensive Player of the Week accolades following her performance in Tampa's 14-9 win over No. 2 Adelphi. The San Diego native recorded 10 saves while facing 19 shots on goal and 26 total shots, finishing the contest with a .526 save percentage. Walling also picked up three ground balls in the Spartan victory.
Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week
Alex Fascio / Florida Southern / So. / St. Tropez, France
Fascio takes Athlete of the Week laurels after a 3-0 week in singles play and helping Florida Southern to the only Top-5 victory in program history. The sophomore from St. Tropez, France, won at #4 singles (6-2, 6-4) in a 6-1 victory over Bates to begin the week. In conference action against Rollins, he had FSC's only singles victory (1-6, 7-5, 110-06) at the #4 position in a 5-2 loss. Two days later, he was victorious at #4 singles (6-1, 6-1), helping lift the Moccasins to a 4-3 win over No. 4 Flager.
Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week
Xiyao Wang / Barry / Sr. / ChongQing, China
Wang earns Athlete of the Week honors after leading Barry to the ITA Division II National Team Indoor Championship. The senior from China opened the event with a win at #3 singles (6-1, 6-3) in a 4-0 victory over Nebraska-Kearney. Next, she won against No. 10 Marleen Tilgner at #3 singles (7-5, 5-7, 6-1) to clinch the 4-3 Barry victory over No. 4 Hawaii Pacific. In the finals, she and partner Selina Pichler were victorious at #3 doubles (6-1), helping the Buccaneers to a 4-0 win over No. 3 Saint Leo.
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Men's Golf Athlete of the Week
Will O'Neill / Nova Southeastern / Gr. / Morristown, New Jersey
O'Neill earns Golfer of the Week after a second-place finish in the Saint Leo Invitational at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club in Dade City, Florida. The graduate student from Morristown, New Jersey, finished alone in second place against the 100-man field by registering a score of 9-under (207) with rounds of 69-71-67. With the play of O'Neill, NSU finished second in the 18-team field at 18-under.
Women's Golf Athlete of the Week
Maria Hoyos / Lynn / Gr. / Pereira, Colombia
Hoyos repeats as Golfer of the Week by winning the Lady Moc Golf Classic at Grasslands Golf and Country Club in Lakeland, Florida. The Colombian bested a field of 108 golfers by five strokes. The graduate student scored 10-under following rounds of 66-71-69 (206). With the play of Hoyos, Lynn took the title at this year's event by 21 strokes against an 18-team field with an event record score of 14-under.
Week-by-Week Winners
2022-23 SSC Men's Basketball Award Winners (Player; Defense)
Nov. 7: Jadin Booth (FSC); Dallas Graziani (NSU)
Nov. 14: Sean Houpt (Florida Tech); Hutton Yenor (Rollins)
Nov. 21: EJ Dambreville (FSC); Kyle Marion (Rollins)
Nov. 28: RJ Sunahara (NSU); Marty Jackson (Saint Leo)
Dec. 5: Sesan Russell (Florida Tech); Dallas Graziani (NSU)
Dec. 12: EJ Dambreville (FSC); Kobe Rodgers (NSU)
Dec. 20: RJ Sunahara (NSU); Jalen Cooper (PBA)
Jan. 2: RJ Sunahara (NSU); Jalen Cooper (PBA)
Jan. 9: Chris Murray (ERAU); Kobe Rodgers (NSU)
Jan. 16: Nordin Kapic (Lynn); Martin Elias (Florida Tech)
Jan. 23: Will Yoakum (NSU); Hutton Yenor (Rollins)
Jan. 30: Jalen Cooper (PBA); RJ Sunahara (NSU)
Feb. 6: Sean Houpt (Florida Tech); Hutton Yenor (Rollins)
Feb. 13: Jadin Booth (FSC); Nordin Kapic (Lynn)
Feb. 20: Kanon Koster (Saint Leo); Jake Maranville (NSU)
Feb. 27: Kanon Koster (Saint Leo); RJ Sunahara (NSU)
2022-23 SSC Women's Basketball Award Winners (Player; Defense)
Nov. 14: Sydney Kin (Tampa); Lauryn Vieira (Eckerd)
Nov. 21: Mya Giusto (Tampa); Sydney Kin (Tampa)
Nov. 28: Maddie Frederick (NSU); Domenica Zamora (FSC)
Dec. 5: Maya Price (Eckerd); Lauryn Vieira (Eckerd)
Dec. 12: Maya Price (Eckerd); Sofia Persson (Eckerd)
Dec. 20: Sydney Kin (Tampa); Aiste Vaitekunaite (Florida Tech)
Jan. 2: Mariyah Fletcher (PBA); Jumoke Adaramoye (Saint Leo)
Jan. 9: Ella Fiore (Lynn); Sydney Kin (Tampa)
Jan. 16: Melijah Sullivan (Tampa); Sydney Kin (Tampa)
Jan. 23: Maddie Frederick (NSU); Mariyah Fletcher (PBA)
Jan. 30: Sofia Persson (Eckerd); Kiki McIntyre (Saint Leo)
Feb. 6: Sofia Persson (Eckerd); Lauryn Vieira (Eckerd)
Feb. 13: Sydney Kin (Tampa); Jada Marone (Lynn)
Feb. 20: Sydney Kin (Tampa); Ella Fiore (Lynn)
Feb. 27: Sofia Persson (Eckerd); Sydney Kin (Tampa)
2023 SSC Baseball Award Winners (Player; Pitcher)
Feb. 6: Byron Murray (Lynn); Curtis Perry (Eckerd)
Feb. 13: Drew Cavanaugh (FSC); Dan Beebe (PBA)
Feb. 20: Jorge Ramirez (Rollins); Drew Dwyer (Lynn)
Feb. 27: Drew Cavanaugh (FSC); Eli Thurmond (Tampa)
2023 SSC Softball Award Winners (Player; Pitcher)
Feb. 6: Ryleigh Langwell (NSU); Kayla Betts (Saint Leo)
Feb. 13: Alexis Smith (NSU); Mary Beth Feldman (Tampa)
Feb. 20: Alexandra Hare (Saint Leo); Maci Barnhart (Barry)
Feb. 27: Alexis Smith (NSU); Kayla Betts (Saint Leo)
2023 SSC Men's Lacrosse Award Winners (Offense; Defense; Specialist)
Feb. 6: Sean Nolan (FSC); Blake Ulmer (Tampa); Jacob Czyz (FSC)
Feb. 13: Justin Williams (Saint Leo); Blake Ulmer (Tampa); None
Feb. 20: Isaiah Hines (ERAU); Matthew Beddow (Tampa); Michael Flores (Saint Leo)
Feb. 27: Jack Johnstone (Rollins); Shahe Katchadurian (Rollins); Michael Flores (Saint Leo)
2023 SSC Women's Lacrosse Award Winners (Offense; Defense)
Feb. 13: Julia Kolderman (Tampa); Caroline Gastonguay (Rollins)
Feb. 20: Abigail Cawley (Rollins); Gina Verrone (FSC)
Feb. 27: Giana Murphy (FSC); Alex Walling (Tampa)
2023 SSC Tennis Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Feb. 6: Chris Fok Kow (FSC); Kamilya Shailina (Saint Leo)
Feb. 13: Matteo Feggi (FSC); Kamilya Shailina (Saint Leo)
Feb. 20: Martin Soukal (Saint Leo); Diane Follin-Arbelet (NSU)
Feb. 27: Alex Fascio (FSC); Xiyao Wang (Barry)
2022-23 SSC Golf Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Sept. 19: AJ Ewart (Barry); None
Sept. 26: None; Maria Hoyos (Lynn)
Oct. 10: Will O'Neill (NSU); Amelie Alcantara (Eckerd)
Oct. 17: None; Isabelle Schlick (Lynn)
Oct. 24: Nicolas Quintero (Barry); Sara Ericsson (Lynn)
Oct. 31: None; Olivia Grønborg (NSU)
Nov. 7: Adam Alvarez (FSC); Ellen Andersson (NSU)
Feb. 13: Felipe Alvarez (Barry); Olivia Grønborg (NSU)
Feb. 20: None; Maria Hoyos (Lynn)
Feb. 27: Will O'Neill (NSU); Maria Hoyos (Lynn)
Week-by-Week Winners: In Active Sports
2022 SSC Volleyball Award Winners (Offensive; Defensive; Setter)
Aug. 29: Diana Akopova (Barry); Jenna Bishop (ERAU); Krysten Garrison (Eckerd)
Sept. 5: Mackenzie Dufresne (Tampa); Kari Bogen (Florida Tech); Krysten Garrison (Eckerd)
Sept. 12: Diana Akopova (Barry); Claudia Rivera (Tampa); Marija Borcic (Barry)
Sept. 19: Kate Mihacevich (NSU); Beatrice Formilan (FSC); Emily Edwards (Lynn)
Sept. 26: Paige Barash (Lynn); Marin Black (Lynn); Emily Edwards (Lynn)
Oct. 10: Diana Akopova (Barry); Jordan Chessar (NSU); Marija Borcic (Barry)
Oct. 17: Nyla Muskovin (Eckerd); Kari Bogen (Florida Tech); Emily Edwards (Lynn)
Oct. 24: Diana Akopova (Barry); Anna Jungjohann (Eckerd); Krysten Garrison (Eckerd)
Oct. 31: Nadia Lindner (Lynn); Monica Mazzoleni (Lynn); Emily Edwards (Lynn)
Nov. 7:Diana Akopova (Barry); Jenna Bishop (ERAU); Marija Borcic (Barry)
Nov. 14: Anna Jungjohann (Eckerd); Olivia Aniol (NSU); Krysten Garrison (Eckerd)
2022 SSC Men's Soccer Award Winners (Offensive; Defensive)
Aug. 29: Noah Kvifte (Saint Leo); Ricardo Ceballos (Saint Leo)
Sept. 5: Henri Tophoven (FSC); Guillermo Falo (PBA)
Sept. 12: Georgios Koliniatis (Rollins); Maximillian Obermeier (Rollins)
Sept. 19: Daniel Schaal (Barry); Lynden Dawson (Eckerd)
Sept. 26: Henri Tophoven (FSC); Luis Tovar Romero (Florida Tech)
Oct. 10: Henri Tophoven (FSC); None
Oct. 17: Jack Edwards (Florida Tech); Luis Tovar Romero (Florida Tech)
Oct. 24: Michael Knoetzinger (Lynn); AJ Pearce (FSC)
Oct. 31: Nazar Tsaruk (Rollins); Joeran Osland (Florida Tech)
2022 SSC Women's Soccer Award Winners (Offensive; Defensive)
Aug. 29: Marie Myhrvold Seim (ERAU); Elena Beasley (Rollins)
Sept. 5: Katherine Hostage (Tampa); Maria Sanchez Recuero (Florida Tech)
Sept. 12: Marie Myhrvold Seim (ERAU); Zoe Brasher (Eckerd)
Sept. 19: Marie Myhrvold Seim (ERAU); Stefane Rosa (NSU)
Sept. 26: Luana Grabias (NSU); Jenny Staten (FSC)
Oct. 10: Anniina Sankoh (Lynn); Stefane Rosa (NSU)
Oct. 17: Luana Grabias (NSU); Stefane Rosa (NSU)
Oct. 24: Caitlyn Lowrey (FSC); Jenny Staten (FSC)
Oct. 31: Alexia Spencer (Saint Leo); Emily Parrott (Barry)
2022 SSC Cross Country Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Aug. 29: Joseph Salerno (NSU); Kamila Soja (NSU)
Sept. 5: George Alexander (Tampa); Hannah Capel (Tampa)
Sept. 12: Paul Kraemer (ERAU); Anna Miller (ERAU)
Sept. 19: Paul Kraemer (ERAU); Madelyn Rodriguez (PBA)
Sept. 26: Paul Kraemer (ERAU); Paige Patterson (Saint Leo)
Oct. 10: Paul Kraemer (ERAU); Kamila Soja (NSU)
Oct. 17: Seth Augustynowski (FSC); Blair Vignes (Lynn)
Oct. 24: Paul Kraemer (ERAU); Madelyn Rodriguez (PBA)
2022-23 SSC Swimming Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Sept. 26: Thomas Flower (NSU); Sasha Maslova (NSU)
Oct. 10: Hayden Curley (Tampa); Emily Trieschmann (NSU)
Oct. 17: Thomas Flower (NSU); Emilia Ronningdal (NSU)
Oct. 24: Keith Peristeridis (FSC); Laura Dekoninck (Lynn)
Nov. 7: Luca Alessandrini (NSU); Emily Trieschmann (NSU)
Nov. 14: Parker Knollman (Tampa); Luna Mertins (Lynn)
Nov. 21: Matteo Zampese (FSC); Emily Trieschmann (NSU)
Dec. 5: Kamil Piotrowicz (Lynn); Luna Mertins (Lynn)
Dec. 20: Hayden Curley (Tampa); Emily Van De Wiele (Tampa)
Jan. 16: Keith Peristeridis (FSC); Celina Marquez (NSU)
Jan. 23: Keith Peristeridis (FSC); Vittoria Bonsanti Feniello (SLU)
Jan. 30: Santiago Corredor (Tampa); Madysen Barnes (Tampa)
LINK: SSC Player of the Week Database