Sports briefs

Fairbanks Named Independent Player of the Year for Third Time

Coaches and sports information directors at 14 independent schools have named Utah Valley University’s Robyn Fairbanks both the Division I Independent Player of the Year and as a selection to the All-Independent first team. It’s the third consecutive year that Fairbanks has earned the award of Independent Player of the Year.

Julie McMurray was named to the second team for the second straight season while Sandy Wall earned honorable mention.

Fairbanks averaged 26.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and hit 60.8 percent from the field in her final season of college basketball. The two-time All-American became the 20th player in NCAA D-I history to record 2,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. Her scoring average ranks second nationally.

“For Robyn to be able to cap her senior year with this award is awesome,” said head coach Cathy Nixon. “She has accomplished so much in her career and done so much for Utah Valley basketball. It’s great to see her recognized for the things she has done.”

McMurray finished second on the team and fourth among independent players with a career-best 18.3 points per game. Her triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over NJIT was the first in school history. She capped her junior season by leading the Wolverines to the independent tournament championship and the Most Valuable Player award.

Wall averaged 13.9 points in her final season and finishes her career all-time second in points scored in school history.

Nick Nelson shot even par and finished -6 and in a tie for 12th place after the third and final round of the 2009 Desert Shootout at Palm Valley Golf Course.
He Finished 12th at Desert Classic

Nelson, who began the day in 11th, finished 10 shots back of the individual champion, Tom Whitney of Air Force. Host Denver won the team title by one shot over Tulsa.

The Wolverines shot 296 on Saturday to finish in 14th place, four strokes back of Cleveland State. UVU shot 292 and 300 in the first two rounds for a three-day score of 888.

Jeff Holmes finished in a tie for 62nd after a final round 76 (+5) and Skyler Distefano was one-over-par on Saturday and finished in a tie for 70th, two shots behind Holmes.

Up next for Utah Valley is the Cal Poly Intercollegiate on March 26-27 in Arroyo Grande, California.