Athletics
SI Features Two: Sports Illustrated highlighted two Cougars in one issue, devoting four pages to football defensive lineman Ezekiel N. “Ziggy” Ansah (’13) and calling basketball guard M. Tyler Haws (’15) a “latter-day Jimmer” after he scored at least 20 points in six consecutive games to start the season.
Cross Country
All-Americans: Jared B. Ward (’14) and Tylor S. Thatcher (’13) earned All-America honors at the 2012 NCAA Championships. BYU’s men placed sixth overall.
Football
Frosh Phenom: At just 17 years old, running back Jamaal M. Williams (’16) scored 12 touchdowns (pre–bowl game) and set a new BYU record for the most rushing yards by a true freshman. Take 5: Wide receiver Cody T. Hoffman (’13) caught five touchdown passes during BYU’s win over New Mexico State, setting a BYU single-game record. AP Pair: The Associated Press doled out All-America honors to punter Riley S. Stephenson (’13) (second team) and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (’14) (third team).
Golf
Sweet Stroke: Devon J. Purser (’15) won the Pacific Invitational by a stroke, leading the Cougars to a fifth-place finish.
Volleyball
Air Attack: In the NCAA tourney’s round of 16, Jennifer D. Hamson (’14) (left) racked up 18 kills against the no. 5 Oregon Ducks. Despite her 20-point contribution, the most of any player in BYU blue, the Cougars fell in the fourth set, ending their 28-4 season. But it was no end to Hamson’s honors. Already the WCC Player of the Year, with 458 kills, eight double-doubles, and 33 aces this season, she was named a first-team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Three of her teammates received All-America honorable mentions, and BYU swept up the other conference honors: Alexa L. Gray (’16) was named freshman of the year; Nicole Warner (’12), defensive player of the year; Shawn L. Olmstead (BA ’05), coach of the year.
