Colorado University Athletics
Thorne II and Smith Score CU Athletes of the Week Honors
January 28, 2009 | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
BOULDER-- University of Colorado basketball players Dwight Thorne II (junior) and Bianca Smith (junior), were named Athletes of the Week for the week of January 19-25. This is Thorne's first career honor, and Smith now has two on the season and four for her career.
Thorne II, an Arlington, Texas (Martin HS) native, averaged 21.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in Colorado's 0-2 week during Big 12 Conference play. Thorne II scored a career-best 30 points in the Buffs' heart breaking 77-75 overtime home loss to Kansas State. He connected on a career-best eight field goals that included five three-pointers. Thorne II finished the game shooting 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. g.
Smith, a Missouri City, Texas (Bellaire) native, had a season-high 25 points and tied a school record with seven 3-pointers to lead the Buffaloes to a 61-56 win over Missouri. Smith hit 7-of-11 from downtown, tying a single-game record that has been achieved a total of six times by four players. Smith also led the team with 4 assists. Smith's efforts helped Colorado gain their first Big 12 conference win. Smith also pitched in 15 points and two assists in the Buffs' home loss to No. 3/2 Oklahoma, 72-58.
Others nominated for this week's award were Alex Von Hagen (men's track), Abbie Probert (tennis), and Kaity Kark (women's track).
Men's Track: Alex Von Hagen, Sophomore, Broomfield, Colo.
Von Hagen successfully defended his heptathlon win from last year at the Potts Invite. He took first with 4,560 points. Von Hagen was third in the 60-meter hurdles (9.52) and first in the pole vault (12-07.50) and 1,000-meters (2:49.48). He won by 111 points over UC-Colorado Springs' Brian Hopkins (4,449). On the first day he led the field with a pair of first place finishes in the long and high jumps. His long jump mark was 20-03.75, while his high jump was 6-05. His high jump mark was just a half inch shy of his personal record and is the third best jump by a CU heptathlete.
Tennis: Abbie Probert, Sophomore, London, England.
Probert won both her singles and doubles matches helping Colorado to a 5-2 victory over No. 43 South Florida in a non-conference match played in Albuquerque, N.M. Probert clinched the team victory at No. 4 defeating Natalia Guevara 6-4, 7-5. The Buffaloes (2-1), ranked No. 57 nationally in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll, dominated the top four singles slots all won in straight sets. Probert teamed with freshman Michala Hedelund at No. 3 doubles for an 8-1 win helping CU earn the doubles point. It was Probert's fifth triumph of the year and first career match where she clinched a team victory.
Women's Track: Kaity Kark, Junior, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Kark won the women's shot put with a personal record of 41 feet, 0.25 inches. It was over a foot farther than Morgan Sedevic (CSU) threw as her top throw was 39-10.75. Kark also placed fifth in the weight throw (45-09.00) at the Potts Invite on Saturday.
