University of Colorado Athletics
Smith and Schaefer Score CU Athlete of the Week Honors
September 02, 2008 | Football, General, Volleyball
BOULDER- Sophomore wide receiver Josh Smith (football) and senior outside hitter Lauren Schaefer (volleyball) were named University of Colorado Athletes of the week for the week of August 25-31. This is the first career CU Athlete of the Week honor for both student-athletes.
Smith, a Moorpark, Calif. (Moorpark) native, recorded three kickoff returns for 160 yards, including a 93 yard return for a touchdown in Colorado's 38-17 victory over intrastate rival Colorado State. Smith also tallied one reception for 15 yards as well as one rush for 8 yards. His 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter was the first by a Buffalo since Jeremy Bloom brought one back 88 yards at Kansas State on Oct. 18, 2003. His 160 total kickoff return yards (on three tries) are tied for the fourth most in a single game in CU history, trailing Ben Kelly (5-186, 0 TD at Oklahoma State, 1997); Howard Ballage (5-184, 1 TD vs. Nebraska, 1978) and Hugh Charles (6-161, 0 TD at Iowa State, 2007).
Schaefer, a Mountain View, Calif. (Los Altos) native, was named MVP of the Mississippi State Classic. Schaefer recorded seven blocks for a weekend average of .88 per game which lead the Buffs. She also recorded a team high .613 attack percentage and averaged 2.62 kills per game (21 total). In the tournament the Buffs swept all three opponents to start the season 3-0. Schaefer's best performance was against Arkansas-Pine Bluff when she recorded a perfect 8 kills on 8 swings.
Others nominated for this week's award were Kate Russell (soccer), Nick Miller (cross country) and Morgan Ekemo (cross country).
Soccer: Kate Russell, Freshman, Longmont, Colo.
Russell, scored the game winning goal in the 3-2 victory over Texas Tech in the Buffs Big 12 opener. Russell, along with teammate Nikki Marshall, lead the team with 5 points (two goals, one assist) early on in the campaign. Her first career assist came in the in the 4-1 win over San Francisco on Sunday when she set up Marshall with a cross from the right side, giving the Buffs the 3-0 lead at that point. Russell has started in all four games for the Buffs and was named Big 12 Newcomer of the week.
Cross Country: Nick Miller, Sophmore, Littleton, Colo.
Miller was the top CU finisher at the CU Time Trial on Saturday. He completed the 8k race in 27 minutes, 2 seconds. Miller, who successfully walked on to CU's program after the time trial last season, is looking to earn a spot on CU's varsity squad. Other schools to compete in the non-team scoring meet were Colorado School of Mines, Metro State and Colorado College.
Cross Country: Morgan Ekemo, Senior, Eagle River, Alaska.
Ekemo was the top female finisher in a CU uniform at the time trial on Saturday. Ekemo finished fifth overall in the 6k with a time of 23:40 and was just one second off the first-place finisher. Ekemo earned a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA this summer and will compete for a varsity roster spot on the Buffaloes' line-up. Other schools to compete in the non-team scoring meet were Colorado School of Mines, Metro State and Colorado College.
