Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month for December of 2024

1/10/2025 1:00:00 PM

MEN'S WRESTLING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Brent Nicolosi | Mount Olive | Freshman | 165 pounds | Haverhill, Massachusetts
A freshman from Haverhill, Massachusetts, Nicolosi continued his stellar campaign after posting a 7-2 record in December with three decisions, two tech falls, and a pair of forfeits. He also entered NWCA individual rankings at No. 11 in the nation at 165 pounds. On Dec. 1, Nicolosi posted a perfect 3-0 record at the Carolina Clash with two victories over nationally ranked opponents. In the day's top performance, he defeated No. 1 ranked and defending national champion David Hunsberger of Lander by a 6-5 decision. In the next match, Nicolosi secured a second-ranked win over No. 6 Guy Deleonardis of Glenville State with a 2-1 decision.

At the Trojan Duals on Dec. 8, he captured two additional victories, including a 19-4 tech fall over Ya'Donnis Hardaway of Allen.

Nicolosi closed out the month with a solid performance at the Midwest Classic after advancing to day two of the tournament. He garnered a first-round bye before posting a 9-6 decision over Levi Deaguero of Adam State. Nicolosi advanced after defeating Kaden Renner of UMary by a 23-7 tech fall.

WOMEN'S WRESTLING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Lillian Prendergast | Mount Olive | Freshman | 103 pounds | Southport, North Carolina
A native of Southport, North Carolina, Prendergast established a perfect 5-0 record in the month of December while competing at 103 pounds. On Dec. 3, she earned a victory via first-round pin over Chiara Barbieri of Presbyterian. At the Trojan Duals, Prendergast produced a 4-0 mark with a trio of forfeits and a fall against Jillian Lackey of Allen.

WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Futoria Harris | Mount Olive | Freshman | Sprints | Fayetteville, North Carolina
In her collegiate debut, Harris established a new Conference Carolinas record in the 60-meter dash and hit a pair of NCAA marks at the Liberty Kickoff on Dec. 5-6. She set a new league and program record with a third-place finish in the 60-meter dash after crossing the line in 7.49 seconds. Harris reached the NCAA provisional standard and ranks ninth in NCAA Division II in the event. Additionally, Harris registered an NCAA provisional standard in the 200-meter dash and posted the second-fastest mark in program history with a time of 24.60 seconds.

MEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Amari Noble | Mount Olive | Freshman | Throws | Virginia Beach, Virginia
A thrower from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Noble established two Conference Carolinas qualifying marks at the John Weaver Invitational on Dec. 6-7. He placed third overall in the shot put with a toss of 14.16 meters, which is the fourth-best mark in the league this season. Noble also set a conference standard in the weight throw with a distance of 14.89 meters, which ranks fifth in the Conference Carolinas.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Kiara Croskey | Francis Marion | Freshman | Guard | Sumter, South Carolina
Croskey had a solid month, helping the Patriots to four wins while averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. She also registered 10 steals and posted a shooting percentage of 41.9 from the field. In a win over Barton, the freshman posted 11 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Chase Dawson | Mount Olive | Freshman | Guard | Durham, North Carolina
A freshman 6-foot-0 guard, Dawson averaged 21.2 points, 2.6 assists, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game, as the Trojans competed in seven games in December. He posted a .514 field-goal percentage (55-of-107) while converting 27-of-32 (84.4 percent) from the free throw line. Dawson registered four 20-point performances, including a career-high 27 points against Elizabeth City State. He scored a team-high 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting with two rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes in a 95-91 win over North Greenville.

Dawson produced a career-high 27 points while adding three rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 37 minutes versus Elizabeth City State. The next game on Dec. 9, he finished with 24 points on 10-of-16 attempts with two assists and two steals in 33 minutes at Chowan. On Dec. 31, Dawson contributed a game-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting with four three-pointers. He added two rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal in 29 minutes at Wingate.

WOMEN'S SWIMMING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Alexandria Morgan | Montevallo | Freshman | Birmingham, Alabama
Morgan was stellar for the Falcons in the month of December as she set the program record in the 1000 yard freestyle with a time of 10:41.16. Morgan helped the 800 yard freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay to times of 7:54.68 and 1:47.36, both top-10 times in Montevallo's program history. She later swam the fifth fastest time in program history in the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 5:13.55. She also helped the 200 yard freestyle relay team to their second fastest time in history at 1:38.66.

MEN'S SWIMMING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Tyler Leal | Converse | Freshman | Augusta, Georgia
Leal was named Swimmer of the Week in December for his individual performance against King. The Peach State native finished the meet with one win, a pair of runner-up finishes and a pair of third place finishes. Individually, Leal won the 50 yard breaststroke with a time of 27.79 seconds. The freshman also finished third in the 200 yard breaststroke event with a time of 2:17.04, and third in the 50 yard butterfly event with a time of 24.04 seconds. As a member of the 400 yard freestyle relay team and the 400 yard medley relay teams, Leal finished in second place. The 400 yard freestyle relay team finished with a time of 3:17.87, while Leal finished his relay split time with a mark of 49.66 seconds. The 400 yard medley relay team finished with a time of 3:38.15, while Leal finished with a relay split time of 59.44 seconds.