Sports Briefs February 21, 2011

Allah Laryea-Akrong and Zandrea Nelson Sweep GWC Indoor Track Honors

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Utah Valley’s Allah Laryea-Akrong and Zandrea Nelson have been selected Great West Conference Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week after outstanding performances last week, the conference office announced Feb. 16.

Laryea-Akrong finished third in the 200 meters at the Husky Invitational behind Washington State’s Greg Hornsby and UCLA’s Maxwell Dyce, respectively, with the time of 21.63. Laryea-Akrong’s time in the 200 meters is the fastest in the GWC this season. The sophomore from Ghana also finished tied for fourth in the 60 meters with the time of 6.89.

Nelson, a junior from Hazelton, Idaho, posted a new school-record in the 400 meters with the time 56.58 seconds. Nelson finished seventh behind athletes from Cal, Oregon and Washington State. Her time is the fastest in the GWC this season.

Abbie Beutler Claims Conference Honor

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Utah Valley’s Abbie Beutler has been honored as the Great West Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week after an outstanding individual performance last week, the conference office announced Feb. 15.

Beutler, a junior from Dayton, Idaho, tallied a career high in points (27) and assists (11) in an 82-70 win over GWC foe Texas-Pan American on Feb. 12. The double-double was also her second of the season and her second in the last three games, all UVU wins. The guard shot .692 (9-for-13) from the field, .600 (3-for-5) from behind the arc, and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in a win over UTPA at home Feb. 12.

The conference honor is Beutler’s first of her career and UVU’s third of the season, as Sammie Jensen has previously won the award twice.

Others nominated were Courtney Waldon (F) of Chicago State, Tia Jackson (F) of Houston Baptist, Allyssa Wall (C) of North Dakota, Alexis Yackley (G) of South Dakota and Bianca Torre (G) of Texas-Pan American.