Norris, Kotas, and a Trio of Track Stars Snag IIAC Awards
Feb 24, 2015 | None
Official IIAC release
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Junior Andre Norris and senior Jenna Kotas both earned the Iowa Conference (IIAC) Athlete of the Week for their respective University of Dubuque men’s and women’s basketball programs after their performances last week against Buena Vista and Luther. The pair were joined by Fabiola Ortiz, DuVaun Goodlow, and Amanda Sinkler, who each earned IIAC track performer of the week honors for their performances at the UD Spartan Invite on Saturday.
Kotas is no stranger to IIAC accolades after picking up her fifth career IIAC Female Athlete of the Week honor and third award of the year. The IIAC’s scoring leader (18.1 ppg) poured in 24 points in win over Buena Vista and 22 points in victory over Luther to help the Spartans capture their first IIAC regular season title in school history.
Kotas had her most efficient two-game stretch of the season after finishing a combined 13 of 22 from the field, 6 of 9 on threes, and 14-for-15 from the charity stripe. Her 18 first-half points helped put away Buena Vista after launching UD to a 45-29 halftime advantage. It was much of the same vs. Luther after totaling 14 points to lead UD to a narrow 45-42 halftime lead. Kotas’ timely layups and free throws in the second aided a UD lead that ballooned to as much as 27 points.
The Tinley Park, Ill. native became the second Spartan in three years (Whiting in 2012) to lead the IIAC in scoring and anchored the highest scoring offense in conference play (72.4 ppg). Kotas also led the league in free throw percentage (94.1%) and finished second in rebounding (7.6 rpg).
The 2013-14 First Team All-Iowa Conference selection major in sports marketing and management. Kotas and the Spartans host Loras or Wartburg in the semifinals of the IIAC tournament this Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Norris scored in droves to capture his second career IIAC Male Athlete of the Week. The Plainfield, Ill. native totaled 32 points a piece in a 94-80 loss against Buena Vista last Wednesday and a 77-63 win over Luther on Saturday. It was his highest scoring two-game stretch of the season and his third and fourth 30-point games of the season.
Against Buena Vista, Norris shot 10-for-22 and canned a season-high five threes. Norris’ showed off his defensive prowess after emphatically swatting four shots, but couldn’t hold back the IIAC’s highest-scoring offense. Norris and Co. bounced back with a win over Luther thanks in part to Norris’ 15 first half points and a 47-29 lead at the break. The 2013-14 First Team All-IIAC selection finished 11-for-18 from the field against Luther with three three-pointers and six rebounds. Norris averaged 31.5 points in two games vs. Luther and their second-ranked scoring defense (67.8 ppg)
The Spartans’ 23rd 1000-pt scorer majors in business. Norris and the Spartans host Luther for the third time this season in the first round of the IIAC tournament on Tuesday February 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Ortiz captured the IIAC women's track performer of the week and continued to re-write the record books after setting her second and third straight UD records with a pair of runner up finishes in the women’s 4x400m relay (4:04.22) and 800m run (2:18.73) at the UD Spartan Invite. The 2014 Cross Country All-IIAC First Team performer broke the mile school record after blazing a 5:18.70 in her first individual career win a week ago. The coaches will have a decision to make as Ortiz sits among the Top-6 IIAC times in the 800m, mile, 3000m, and the 4x400m relay heading into next week’s IIAC Championships at Wartburg. The Elgin, Ill. native has yet to finish outside the top-4 in six individual races this year.
The owner of the second-fastest 6k time in UD cross country history majors in psychology.
Goodlow earned the IIAC men's field performer of the week after setting a school record with a leap of 6’9” at the UD Spartan Invite. The Joliet, Ill. already shared the school record at 6’8” and claimed sole possession with his winning leap last Saturday. Goodlow currently ranks second in the Iowa Conference and ninth in the nation.
The sophomore has already beaten his previous indoor personal record of 6’4” at all five of his meets as he looks to improve upon his fourth place showing (6’3.5”) at the IIAC indoor championships a year ago.
The three-time high jump winner majors in business.
Sinkler garnered the IIAC women's field performer of the week after winning her third pole vault event in the last four meets with a personal-best vault of 11’5.75” at the UD Spartan Invite. She now sports the second-best vault in the IIAC and defeated the IIAC leader at the UD Spartan Invite. The freshman now sits 0.5” away from tying the school record set in 2014.
The Mukwonago, Wis. native majors in exercise science.
The Spartans' budding track performers suit up for the IIAC Championships this Friday, February 27 to Saturday, February 28 at Wartburg.
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.
