Spotlight

In the Student Spotlight: Jan. 10, 2020

In the Student Spotlight: Jan. 10, 2020

Kudos to these students

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  • Rodriguez and SherrarTwo NAU swimming and diving students were named the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Swimmer and Diver of the Week.
    • Elisa Rodriguez took gold at the dual meet against Arizona and Northwestern in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, hitting a season record time of 50.89 in the 100-meter. This is Rodriguez’s second time as WAC Swimmer of the Week.
    • Emily Sharrer earned her first WAC title with a win on the 1-meter with a score of 258.65. This was 30 points higher than the second-place Arizona State University diver.
  • The NAU men’s track team topped the Big Sky Conference Preseason Indoor Track and Field Coaches’ Poll with nine first place votes and 119 points. The team has several Big Sky Conference Champions returning from last year.
    • Geordie Beamish was a 2019 NCAA Indoor Track and Field National Champion in the mile. He won the same title at the Big Sky Indoor Championships.
    • Luis Grijalva was the 5,000-meter champion at the indoor championships.
    • Blaise Ferro was the 3,000-meter champion at the indoor championships.
    • Parker Joens and Kevin Cooney will lead a strong group of returning throwers.
  • The NAU women’s track team placed second in the Big Sky Conference Preseason Indoor Track and Field Coaches’ Poll with four first-place votes and 108 points. They will lose seniors Maggie Carruth and Jasmine Malone but will see the return of last year’s Female Outdoor Athlete of the Year and Female Freshman of the Year Matilde Roe. Helena McLeod, 2018 indoor women’s long jump champion, will also return and is projected as one of the best female jumpers in the conference.
  • Several football players were recognized with 2019 All-American and Postseason Honors.
    • Junior placekicker Luis Aguilar was announced to the 2019 Walter Camp FCS All-America Team, his fifth distinction since the end of the season. He also has received the Fred Mitchell Award and honors with HERO Sports All-America (First Team), The Associated Press All-America (First Team), FCS ADA All-America Team and STATS FCS All-America (First Team).
    • Punter DJ Arnson was honored with HERO Sports All-America (Third Team) and STATS FCS All-America (Third Team).
    • Quarterback Case Cookus was honored with HERO Sports All-America (Second Team), The Associated Press (First Team), and STATS FCS All-America (team to be decided).
    • Wide receiver Hendrix Johnson was honored with HERO Sports Freshman All-America (Honorable Mention).
    • Wide receiver Brandon Porter was honored with HERO Sports Sophomore All-America (First Team).