Sept. 30, 2013

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State golfer Tanner Higham has been named the America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Sept. 29, in an award that is voted on by a state-wide media panel.

This is the first time this season the senior has received the award, but the fifth time in his career.

This week, Higham shot a final round 4-under par 67 to claim his first-ever tournament title with a collegiate-best 8-under 205 (71-67-67) at the Boise State hosted Dash Thomas Memorial. Utah State finished the tournament in fifth-place out of 12 teams with a 15-over 867 (287-283-297).

Overall, Higham is the first Aggie golfer to win a tournament outright since the fall of 1996 when Todd Tanner won medalist honors after carding a 3-over 147 (77-70) at the Stevinson Ranch Invitational in Stanislaus, Calif. Furthermore, Higham's 8-under 205 is the best 54-hole score by an Aggie golfer since the fall of 2007 when Devin Daniels carded a 12-under par 204 (70-64-70) to finish tied for 15th at the Agua-Caliente Air Force Invitational in Palm Springs, Calif.

At the Dash Thomas Memorial, Higham began the tournament with an even-par 71 before firing a season-low 4-under par 67 during his second 18 holes. During his final round, Higham again shot a 4-under 67 to defeat Cal State Fullerton's Mark Anguiano by one stroke as he finished with a 7-under 206 (70-70-66).

Aggie fans can follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics, on Facebook at facebook.com/USUAthletics and on Instagram at instagram.com/USUAthletics.

Nominees from other sports for USU Student-Athlete of the Week included:
FOOTBALL - Junior linebacker Kyler Fackrell (Mesa, Ariz.) tied his career-high with 11 tackles (5-solo, 6-assist), including 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks in Utah State's 40-12 road win at San Jose State last weekend. He also prevented San Jose State from converting a two-point attempt on the Spartans only touchdown of the game.

SOCCER - Senior forward Jennifer Flynn (Sandy, Utah) guided Utah State to a 1-1 road record last weekend with a win at UNLV (2-1) and a loss at Nevada (2-0). Flynn scored the game-winning goal on her only shot of the day against the Rebels in the 71st minute with an unassisted goal as she played 49 minutes in the contest. Against the Wolf Pack, she took three shots, two of which were on goal. For the week, Flynn played 88 minutes with one goal on four shots.

WOMEN'S TENNIS - Sophomore Kallie Sperry (Salt Lake City, Utah) won two singles matches at the Washington State hosted Cougar Classic last weekend on her way to the quarterfinals of the Crimson Flight. Sperry also advanced to the finals of the Crimson Doubles Flight by capturing three doubles wins.

VOLLEYBALL - Junior outside hitter Rachel Orr (Thatcher, Ariz.) averaged a double-double in helping Utah State to a 1-1 record over the weekend, losing at Fresno State (3-1) and winning at San José State (3-0) for USU's 200th all-time conference win. Against the Bulldogs, Orr logged her sixth double-double of the season, and was one kill shy of her career-high, with 19 kills and 11 digs, tying her career-best with 54 attacks to go along with three blocks. Against the Spartans, she posted 14 kills and nine digs to go along with a career-high two service aces and a career-best two solo blocks, adding two block assists to finish with four total blocks. For the week, Orr posted a .250 (33-11-88) attack percentage and averaged 5.64 points, 4.71 kills, 2.86 digs and 1.00 blocks per set.

2013-14 Utah State Athlete of the Week Winners
Sept. 2 - Jeannie Woller, Soccer
Sept. 9 - Chuckie Keeton, Football
Sept. 16- Chuckie Keeton, Football
Sept. 23 - Elle Brainard, Volleyball
Sept. 30 - Tanner Higham, Golf