Gillam, Simpson Awarded Athlete of the Week

BOULDER - Football's Addison Gillam (freshman) and volleyball's Taylor Simpson (junior) were named CU Athletes of the Week on Wednesday for their accomplishments the week of Nov. 25 - Dec. 1.

Gillam, an outside linebacker from Palo Cedro, Calif. (Foothill), finished his true freshman season with 15 tackles (6 solo) and an interception in Colorado's 24-17 loss on Saturday to Utah in Salt Lake City. The first freshman in program history to lead CU in tackles for a single season (119), Gillam played all 77 snaps against the Utes, giving him 838 for the year, an additional CU freshman record. Against Utah, Gillam had two third down stops, two tackles for no gain and a quarterback hurry.

On Monday, Gillam was one of three Colorado players named All Pac-12 Honorable Mention by the Pac-12 Conference.

Simpson, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo. (Doherty/Missouri), helped Colorado secure a spot in the 2013 NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2006 season. Defeating Utah in a five-set win (16-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 14-16), the Buffs later fell in three sets to No. 7 USC. Simpson, an outside hitter, recorded 36 kills and hit .241 in the two matches, adding 34 digs, three block assists and a pair of aces for 39.5 points. Against the Utes, she became the 12th Buff to record a 20-20 double-double with 20 kills and 22 digs while hitting .261. In the match against the Trojans, Simpson had 16 kills, 12 digs and three block assists.

This is Gillam's third Athlete of the Week award this year, Simpson's fourth.

Also nominated for this week's Athlete of the Week honors: Lexy Kresl (women's basketball) and Josh Scott (men's basketball).

Kresl, a junior guard, was named MVP of the 2013 Omni Hotels Classic over the weekend. Dishing out a career-high six assists with no turnovers, she added 12 points in the team's first-round win over South Alabama. Scoring 19 points in the championship game against Rice, Kresl was just one point off her career high, hitting 7-of-14 from the field. She also added four assists, five rebounds and three steals.

Scott, a sophomore forward, recorded his third double-double of the season (fifth career) with 16 points and 13 rebounds in the Buffaloes 81-57 road win over Air Force. It was the seventh time Scott has led CU in rebounding and the fourth time he has led the team in scoring this season. Scott went 5-of-10 from the field and was perfect (6-of-6) from the free throw line.

Colorado University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos