Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: CUBuffs.com
Sportswomen of Colorado Honors Four Buffs
January 26, 2024 | General, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Soccer
DENVER — Three Colorado student-athletes and women's basketball head coach JR Payne were honored by the Sportswomen of Colorado this week.
Jaylyn Sherrod (basketball), Shyra James (soccer) and Morgan Miller (golf) each earned 2023 College Athlete of the Year in their respective sports, while Payne was awarded the Joan Birkland Leadership Award.
Sherrod, a 2023 Pac-12 All-Conference and All-Defensive Team selection, led the Buffs to its first Sweet 16 appearance in 20 seasons last year. She scored the final four points to force overtime in CU's 61-53 win over Duke to help secure the team's spot in the Sweet 16. Sherrod surpassed 1,000 career points in 2023. The graduate point guard helped the Buffs to a 25-7 in the 2023 calendar year. Sherrod wrapped up 2023 with a career-high 34 points in CU's 76-65 win over then No. 12 Utah on Dec. 30.
James was a Third Team United Soccer Coaches All-American and a First Team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023. She finished the season with career-highs in goals (15) points (32). She ranked ninth nationally in goals and 11th in goals per game (.75). James was also top 20 in the nation in points (18th), shots on goal per game (10th) and shots per game (5). She scored in seven consecutive matches, setting the program record for a consecutive goal streak in a single season.
Miller was named the Colorado Golf Association's Women's Player of the Year in 2023 after a successful amateur and collegiate season. Miller set CU records for fall season stroke average (70.4) and full season rounds in the 60s (seven), claiming the latter with a full spring season to go. She shot under par in 11 of 15 fall season rounds and finished in the Top 3 in three of five tournaments. Miller won the 2023 prestigious Jones/Doherty match play championship last January and advanced to the match play round of the U.S. Women's Amateur in August.
Payne guided the Buffaloes to its second consecutive NCAA Tournament in 2023 and picked up the program's first NCAA Tournament win since 2003. Colorado, which was picked to be eighth in the Pac-12, finished third in the conference seedings, its best finish to date. Payne was one of 15 coaches listed as a potential 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year Award candidate last season. She coached Colorado to an upset win over No. 1 LSU, 92-78, to open the 2023-24 season. The Buffs started this season with six straight wins and an 11-1 record before the New Year.
Sportswomen of Colorado will honor the past, present, and future when they host their 50th Anniversary Awards Celebration on March 17, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
The highlight of the evening will be the surprise announcement of the Sportswoman of the Year Award presented to Colorado's most outstanding athlete based on her 2023 achievements.
Learn more about the banquet and register for this amazing event online. www.sportswomenofcolorado.org/awardscelebration
Jaylyn Sherrod (basketball), Shyra James (soccer) and Morgan Miller (golf) each earned 2023 College Athlete of the Year in their respective sports, while Payne was awarded the Joan Birkland Leadership Award.
Sherrod, a 2023 Pac-12 All-Conference and All-Defensive Team selection, led the Buffs to its first Sweet 16 appearance in 20 seasons last year. She scored the final four points to force overtime in CU's 61-53 win over Duke to help secure the team's spot in the Sweet 16. Sherrod surpassed 1,000 career points in 2023. The graduate point guard helped the Buffs to a 25-7 in the 2023 calendar year. Sherrod wrapped up 2023 with a career-high 34 points in CU's 76-65 win over then No. 12 Utah on Dec. 30.
James was a Third Team United Soccer Coaches All-American and a First Team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023. She finished the season with career-highs in goals (15) points (32). She ranked ninth nationally in goals and 11th in goals per game (.75). James was also top 20 in the nation in points (18th), shots on goal per game (10th) and shots per game (5). She scored in seven consecutive matches, setting the program record for a consecutive goal streak in a single season.
Miller was named the Colorado Golf Association's Women's Player of the Year in 2023 after a successful amateur and collegiate season. Miller set CU records for fall season stroke average (70.4) and full season rounds in the 60s (seven), claiming the latter with a full spring season to go. She shot under par in 11 of 15 fall season rounds and finished in the Top 3 in three of five tournaments. Miller won the 2023 prestigious Jones/Doherty match play championship last January and advanced to the match play round of the U.S. Women's Amateur in August.
Payne guided the Buffaloes to its second consecutive NCAA Tournament in 2023 and picked up the program's first NCAA Tournament win since 2003. Colorado, which was picked to be eighth in the Pac-12, finished third in the conference seedings, its best finish to date. Payne was one of 15 coaches listed as a potential 2023 Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year Award candidate last season. She coached Colorado to an upset win over No. 1 LSU, 92-78, to open the 2023-24 season. The Buffs started this season with six straight wins and an 11-1 record before the New Year.
Sportswomen of Colorado will honor the past, present, and future when they host their 50th Anniversary Awards Celebration on March 17, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
The highlight of the evening will be the surprise announcement of the Sportswoman of the Year Award presented to Colorado's most outstanding athlete based on her 2023 achievements.
Learn more about the banquet and register for this amazing event online. www.sportswomenofcolorado.org/awardscelebration
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