LOGAN, Utah – A graduate of the Utah State Athletics Department Mica Rivera America First Credit Union named USU’s Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Jan. 29. The award is voted on by a statewide media panel.
The Herriman, Utah native won the 5,000 meters at the Washington Invitational last weekend in 16:24.57, the third-best time in school history.
It’s the second time in his career that Rivera has earned America First Credit Union USU Student-Athlete of the Week honors. He previously won the award after finishing 14th in the 10,000 meters at the 2022 NCAA West Preliminary Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In his first career appearance at the West Prelims, Rivera finished the race with a time of 34:09.64, second in the event at USU.
Utah State won six individual titles, three in each event, and 15 top-three finishes at last weekend’s Idaho State and Washington Invitationals. A total of 17 athletes are ranked in the top 10 all-time in their respective events at USU.
Utah’s indoor track and field teams continue their 2023 season this weekend with the Utah State Speed and Power Meet on Saturday, February 4 at George Nelson Fieldhouse. The field events begin at 9:30 a.m. and the running events begin at 10:00 a.m
Fans can follow the Utah State track and field programs at twitter.com/USUTF_XC, USUTrack on Facebook and Instagram at instagram.com/USUTF_XC. Aggies fans can also follow the Utah State athletics program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.
Other sports nominees for USU Student Athlete of the Week include:
MEN’S BASKETBALL – Graduate forward Dan Akin (London, England) helped Utah State to a 1-1 Mountain West record last week with an 85-75 loss at San Diego State and a 70-53 win at Fresno State . Against the Aztecs, Akin had his sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 boards to go along with two steals, one assist and a block. Against the Bulldogs, Akin had a season-high 23 points, including his first career 3-pointer, along with eight rebounds and a season-high three blocks. For the week, Akin averaged 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.0 steals and 0.5 assists while shooting 82.4 percent from the field (14-of-17 ), hit from behind 100.0 percent (1/1). arc and 75.0 percent (9-of-12) from the free throw line.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – Senior forward Ashya Klopfenstein (Howe, Indiana) averaged 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 1.0 steals and 0.5 assists as Utah State defeated Wyoming (64 52) and a pair of Mountain West home losses against New Mexico (98). 60). Klopfenstein scored 12 points against the Warriors as he went 4-of-6 from the field, including 2-for-3 from 3-point range and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. it has been. rebound, two blocks and one steal. Against the Lobos, he scored six points and had five rebounds, one steal and one assist. For the week, he shot 66.7 percent (6/9) from the field, 66.7 percent (2/3) from 3-point range and 80.0 percent (4/5) from the free throw line.
GYMNASTICS – Senior Sophie Sullivan (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) scored a season-high 9.925, the ninth-most in school history, to help Utah State finish the season with a 195.900 in a loss to BYU (196.650) last week the end
MEN’S Outdoor Track & Field – Big Spencer Nelson (Hyrum, Utah) won the 5,000 meters at the Washington Invitational last weekend in 14:06.19, the fifth-best time in school history.
WOMEN’S OUTDOOR ATHLETICS – The graduate is senior Mica Rivera (Herriman, Utah) won the 5,000 meters at the Washington Invitational last weekend with a time of 16:24.57, the third-best time in school history.
WOMEN’S TENNIS – Senior Zeynep Naz Özturk (Istanbul, Turkey) scored a 4-3 win on neutral court against Western Michigan last weekend to give Utah a 1-1 record after a 4-0 loss at Nebraska. helped. Against the Broncos, Ozturk won in straight sets at No. 1 (6-2, 6-4) and lost 6-0 at No. 1 singles. teamed up with co-star Sidnee Lavatai. And against the Cornhuskers, Ozturk’s only game at No. 1 was stopped when he was leading 6-2, 4-5. He also teamed up with Lavatai at the first doubles position and the duo took the match 6-3.
2022-23 America First Credit Union USU Student-Athlete of the Week winners
August 29 – Kaylee Stokes, volleyball
September 5 – Diera Walton, soccer
September 12 – Shelby Kaplonch, volleyball
September 19 – Whitney Lopez, soccer
September 26 – Sarah Taylor, soccer
October 3 – Camren ToddMen’s cross country
October 10 – Ajani Carter, Football
October 17 – David Cierny, men’s tennis
October 24 – Mackenzie Hunninghack, soccer
October 31 – Diera Walton, soccer
November 7 – Connor Coles, Football
November 14 – Ike Larsen, Football
November 21 – Calvin Tyler Jr., Football
Nov. 28 – Shelby Kaplonch, volleyball
December 5 – Maria Carvalho, women’s basketball
December 12 – Sean Bairstow, men’s basketball
December 26 – Sean Bairstow, men’s basketball
Jan. 2 – Dan Akin, men’s basketball
January 9 – Taylor Funk, men’s basketball
January 16 – Peyton TevensWomen’s athletics
January 23 – Devin pancakesMen’s athletics
January 30 – Mica RiveraWomen’s athletics
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