Sports briefs

McPherson Named GWC Male Track & Field POW

Michael McPherson, a freshman (Parker, Colo./Chaparral HS) on Utah Valley University’s men’s track and field team, has been named the Great West Conference Male Indoor Track and Field Athlete of The Week, as announced by league officials Tuesday.

McPherson obliterated the school record in the men’s heptathlon last Saturday at the Mountain States Games in Pocatello, Idaho, as McPherson finished the event with 4,632 total points. With his impressive totals in the men’s heptathlon McPherson placed fifth overall at the event.

The true-freshman shattered his own record that he set back at the opening meet of the season at BYU on Jan. 10. McPherson beat his previous record by more than 700 points at Idaho State. Out of the seven total events in the men’s heptathlon, McPherson placed first in the two of the events, the 60m dash, and the long jump. He also placed second in the high jump and third in the 1000m run.

McPherson is the third Wolverine to be named a GWC Indoor Track and Field Player of the Week as his teammates; sophomore Jared Keller and sophomore Jazmine Wittman, each won the male and female awards on Jan. 27.

Toolson Garners Fifth Weekly Honor

Senior guard Ryan Toolson was named Great West Conference Player of the Week the league office announced Tuesday.

Toolson captured his fifth weekly honor after leading the Wolverines to a perfect 2-0 record on the road last week where he averaged 24 points per contest. Toolson was perfect from the free throw line (15-of-15) while averaging 44.8 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from beyond the arc. The Gilbert, Ariz., native went 13-of-13 from the charity stripe while producing 33 points in a win at Savannah State Saturday.

Toolson’s scoring average (24.8 ppg) is currently sixth in the nation, and he also currently holds the highest free-throw percentage in the country (93.2).

Fairbanks Picks Up Seventh Great West Player of the Week Award

Utah Valley’s Robyn Fairbanks has been named the Great West Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week along with Kierah Kimbrough of North Dakota for the week ending Feb. 15, the league office announced Tuesday.

Fairbanks continues to put up impressive numbers this season en route to capturing her seventh weekly honor in 14 weeks. The senior center helped Utah Valley capture a 2-0 record last week, with both wins coming against conference foes NJIT and Chicago State.

Fairbanks scored 30 points in each game and averaged 12.5 rebounds as the Raymond, Alberta, Canada, native collected her fifth straight double-double and 12th this season. She shot 77.1 percent from the floor while also producing four steals and three blocks.