Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Month for January of 2025

2/7/2025 3:00:00 PM

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Lawson Hink | Barton | Freshman | Outside Hitter/Right Side | Brookfield, Wisconsin
Hink had an outstanding start to his career as he leads the Bulldogs with 102 kills through the first month of the season. He has eclipsed 12 kills in six matches and ranks second on the team with 47 digs. For the month he averaged 3.29 kills and 1.52 digs per set. Hink registered a career-best 18 kills in a win over Tusculum before recording a career-best eight digs later in the day against Queens.

MEN'S WRESTLING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Brent Nicolosi | Mount Olive | Freshman | 165 pounds | Haverhill, Massachusetts
Nicolosi posted a perfect 3-0 record at 165 in January with all three victories coming in Conference Carolinas duals. Against Allen, he finished with a first round fall over Ya'Donnis Hardaway on January 3 in a 45-10 win. Two weeks later, he captured a dominant 21-5 tech fall versus Christian Arrington of Belmont Abbey in a thrilling 21-20 victory on January 15. He closed out the month with a 19-9 major decision over Aspen Talbot of UNC Pembroke.

WOMEN'S WRESTLING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
O'marzria Wright | Mount Olive | Freshman | 110 pounds | Lenoir, North Carolina
Wright competed at 110 pounds and posted a 5-5 record while also claiming a podium finish at the Tornado Open. At the NWCA/USMC National Duals, she captured a dominant 17-4 tech fall over Hope Chiattello of No. 11 ranked Wartburg. The following week, Wright secured a 12-2 tech fall over Haley Zinninger of No. 11 Emmanual. At the Tornado Open, Wright secured a runner-up finish after posting a 3-1 record. In the opening round, she registered a 6-3 win via decision over Ryleigh Hayes of Cumberland before pinning Kaia Stewart in the first round. Wright advanced to the finals with a 12-1 tech fall versus Elle Webster of Frostburg State. In the championship, she fell via a 15-4 tech fall to No. 6 ranked Dianna Holmes of King to place second overall.

WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Janara Bryant | Mount Olive | Freshman | Jumps | Beaufort, North Carolina
Bryant established a pair of top-three marks in the Conference Carolinas in the triple jump and high jump in January. At the Burg Open on January 10, she set the third-best mark in the league with a leap of 12.06 meters to claim first place in the triple jump. Bryant also cleared 1.55 meters in the high jump to finish third, which sits atop the Conference Carolinas. The following week at the Finn Pincus Invitational (January 17-18), she placed second in the triple jump with a distance of 11.63 meters. Bryant also finished third overall with a leap of 5.28 meters in the long jump.

MEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Travelius Leach | Mount Olive | Freshman | Sprints | Rowland, North Carolina
A native of Rowland, North Carolina, Leach earned three event victories in January while ranking among the top 12 in three events in the Conference Carolinas. On January 10 at The Burg Open, he earned first place with a time of 22.07 seconds in the 200 meters, which ranks 11th in the league. Additionally, Leach was a member of the 4x400 relay team that claimed first overall with a time of 3:25.23, which sits third in the Conference Carolinas. At the Finn Pincus Invitational (January 17-18), he registered the third-fastest time in the conference following a first place finish with a mark of 49.92 seconds.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Kiara Croskey | Francis Marion | Freshman | Guard | Sumter, South Carolina
Croskey had a big month for the Patriots, averaging 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. The Sumter, South Carolina native scored in double figures in seven of eight contests, including a career-high 20 points against Chowan on January 29. She started the month with 19 points and eight rebounds in a win over Southern Wesleyan. For the month, she shot 43.3 percent from the floor and 88.0 percent from the free throw line.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Chase Dawson | Mount Olive | Freshman | Guard | Durham, North Carolina
Dawson averaged 23.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, as the Trojans competed in six Conference Carolinas games in January. He recorded a .510 field-goal percentage (51-of-100) while converting 33-of-37 (89.2 percent) from the free-throw line. Dawson scored a game-high 23 points on 10-of-20 shooting while adding two rebounds and one assist in a 97-82 win on January 4 over Lees-McRae. He scored a career-high 36 points on 14-of-25 shooting while converting a perfect six-of-six from the free-throw line in 31 minutes at Francis Marion on January 15. In the next game, Dawson produced 16 points with five rebounds and four assists in 26 minutes in a 107-95 over Southern Wesleyan.

WOMEN'S BOWLING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Makayla Angel | Emmanuel | Freshman | Orlando, Florida
Angel finished the month of January with a 10-game average 170 with a high individual game of 209 at the FSU Seminole Classic. She started every match at the USBC Collegiate Tier I KEGEL/ISBPA Midwest Classic and was second on the team with an individual average of 182 and second in the overall team rankings.

MEN'S BOWLING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Jordan Woods | Belmont Abbey | Freshman | Statesville, North Carolina
Woods competed in all three January tournaments, playing in 13 games with a total pinfall of 2692 and an average of 207.1. He posted seven games over 200 with a high of 279 and earned all-tournament honors at the Kegel/ISBPA Midwest Collegiate Classic by finishing fifth. At the tournament, he averaged 235.4 in five games. Woods set a school record for a three-game series at 802 (245-278-279). He then averaged 188.8 at the MSC Jordan Lynne Memorial and 190.0 at the MSC Thomas N. Burris Memorial and was named Conference Carolinas Men's Bowler of the Week on January 22.

WOMEN'S SWIMMING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Isabella Hernandez | Emmanuel | Freshman | Santiago, Dominican Republic
Hernandez posted five event wins over two meets for the Lions in January. Against Carson-Newman and Mars Hill, Hernandez finished the 500 yard freestyle in 5:18.26 before covering the 1650 yard freestyle in 18:08.02. Later in the month against Brenau and Life, Hernandez finished the 200 yard freestyle in 1:55.01, the 500 yard freestyle in 5:11.02 and the 100 yard breaststroke in 1:10.95.

MEN'S SWIMMING
FRESHMAN OF THE MONTH - Previous Winners
Mauricio Arias | Emmanuel | Freshman | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Arias had a solid month for the Lions, posting six top-five finishes. Against Carson-Newman and Mars Hill he finished third in the 50 yard and 100 yard backstroke with times of 24.25 seconds and 51.85 seconds, respectively. In the 200 yard freestyle, he finished fifth in 1:45.49. Later in the month against Life, Arias took runner-up finishes in the 200 yard and 500 yard freestyles with times of 1:55.04 and 4:43.31, respectively. He also finished third with a 100 yard freestyle time of 48.19 seconds.