Trio of Spartans Grab IIAC Honors
Jan 20, 2015
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque’s senior Jenna Kotas averaged 23.5 points and 11.5 rebounds for the women’s basketball team, junior Kebba Bojang triple jumped his way to two individual titles and freshman Ernest Winters won a pair of sprints in men’s track & field as the trio garnered one Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Player of the Week award and two IIAC Performer of the Week awards, respectively.
As the leading IIAC scorer and rebounder through four IIAC games (22.5 ppg and 10.5 rpg), Kotas didn’t disappoint after posting 20 points and 11 boards against No. 25 Luther last Wednesday and 27 points and 12 boards at Buena Vista on Saturday.
Kotas’ three-pointer against Luther with 45 seconds remaining cut the Norse lead to six, but it would prove to be the Spartans final points as Luther pulled away, 80-70, from the free throw line. The frantic game featured 16 lead changes and 12 ties. At Buena Vista, Kotas’ jumper and two free throws extended UD’s lead to five points with 1:23 to go. Her clutch four-point run help put the Beavers away, 82-73, as Kotas finished 13 of 14 from the charity stripe. The Spartans shot 35 of 49 from the free throw line collectively.
The Tinley Park, Ill. native earned her fourth career IIAC Athlete of the Week award and is the only female to win the award twice this year. Kotas double majors in sports marketing & management and business.
The Spartans face rival Loras on Wednesday, January 21 at 6:00 p.m.
Bojang, the 2014 IIAC Outdoor Triple Jump Champion, got off to a quick start after setting two personal records in a pair of triple jump wins at the Wartburg Relays last Friday and UD’s Sol Butler Classic on Saturday. Bojang’s mark of 13.83m/45’4.5” at Wartburg bested a 13.67m/44’10.25” effort at the inaugural Spartan Duhawk Dual in December. He followed up with a 14.04m/46’0.75” leap at the Sol Butler Classic.
Bojang won all three meets and currently holds the 10th-best triple jump in the nation.
The Madison, Wis. native double majors in biology and chemistry.
Winters has burst onto the scene in his freshman campaign after winning the 60 meters at the Wartburg Relays (7.03) and the 200 meters at the UD Sol Butler Classic (22.63). Winters also garnered a runner up finish in the 55 meters at UD in a season-best 6.50 (a converted 6.99 in the 60 meters).
Winters’ 6.99 (60) is 12th best in the nation, his 22.63 (200) sits 8th overall, and both times are tops in the nation for a freshman.
The Middleton, Wis. native majors in sociology.
The Spartans face rival Loras on Wednesday, January 21 at 6:00 p.m.
Note
The IIAC Athlete of the Week award honors the top overall male and female athlete in the IIAC, while the IIAC Performer of the Week honors the top male and female athlete in their respective sport.
Official IIAC release
