July 6, 2006
DENVER, Colo. - Nevada junior Nick Fazekas and Hawai`i junior Kanoe Kamana'o have been named the recipients of the 2005-06 Joe Kearney Award for the Western Athletic Conference, the league announced Thursday.
Fazekas becomes the second Nevada basketball player to win the award. Kirk Snyder brought home the award in 2003-04. Kamana'o is the second Rainbow Wahine volleyball player to win the award, with Kim Willoughby taking the 2003 and 2004 honors. Named in honor of former WAC commissioner Joe Kearney, the awards are given annually to the top male and female WAC athlete. The WAC Athletics Directors select the male award winner, while the WAC Senior Woman Administrators choose the female honoree.
Fazekas, a junior from Arvada, Colo., is a two-time WAC Player of the Year in basketball. He has helped the Wolf Pack to WAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his three seasons, including a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2004. Fazekas earned All-America honors from the Associated Press in each of the last two seasons, including a third-team nod in 2006 and honorable mention in 2005. He is the school career blocked shots leader with 144 and stands second in career scoring 1,812 points.
During the 2005-06 basketball season, Fazekas was named a first-team all-WAC selection for the second-straight year. He was one of 22 players on the final ballot for the Wooden Award and a finalist for the Adolph Rupp Award. Fazekas was also named the Player of the Year for District VIII by the US Basketball Writers.
"Nick Fazekas is most deserving of the Joe Kearney Award," said Nevada head coach Mark Fox. "As the most recognized and decorated athlete in the conference, he has carried himself with class on and off the basketball floor. His accomplishments as a student, a citizen, an All-American, the Player of the Year, and most importantly as a WAC champion, make him an excellent choice for this award."
"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized as the top athlete in the WAC and to join the list of great athletes who have won this award in the past," Fazekas said. "This award is really a tribute to all of the success my teammates and I had this year and throughout my career."
"In just three seasons, Nick Fazekas has established himself as one of top student-athletes in school history and has helped put the Wolf Pack firmly on the national map of college basketball," said Nevada director of athletics Cary Groth. "The two-time defending WAC Player of the Year and All-America selection, he has been an integral part of Nevada's three consecutive Western Athletic Conference regular-season titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. He is a fierce competitor and has continued to improve his game as well as work to make his teammates better in each of his three seasons. Nick is a great ambassador for the university and takes his commitment to athletics, academics and community service seriously."
Kamana'o, a junior from Honolulu, is a three time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American, including a first-team nod in 2004. She is a three-time first-team all-WAC member and the WAC Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005. In 2005, she posted the second-best assists-per-game average in school history at 13.85. She is the only player in the country to average more than 13.5 assists, 2.5 digs and one block per game in each of the last two seasons.
In her Rainbow Wahine career, Kamana'o she is the leader in assists with 4,955 and assists-per-game at 13.73. Her career started strong and has continued, as she was named the 2003 AVCA Freshman of the Year, posting the second-highest single-season assist total in school history at 1,683.
"Kanoe Kamana'o is Hawai`i's most accomplished setter in the history of its program," stated Marylin Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, Hawai`i's Senior Woman Administrator. "Her work ethic, dedication and talent have been an inspiration to the youth volleyball players who dream to be like Kanoe. Her demeanor on the court and her sense of play glues the team together and provides a level of play with our quick offense that is exciting for our fans."
2005-06 JOE KEARNEY AWARD NOMINEES
Boise State
Mattias Jons-Track and Field
Eleni Kafourou-Track and Field
Fresno State
Christian Vitters-Baseball
Katharina Winterhalter, Fresno State-Tennis
Hawai'i
Steven Wright-Baseball
Kanoe Kamana'o-Volleyball
Idaho
Russ Winger-Track and Field
Dee Olson, Idaho-Cross Country/Track and Field
Louisiana Tech
Paul Millsap-Basketball
Donesha Spivey-Track and Field
Nevada
Nick Fazekas -Basketball
Salaia Salave'a -Volleyball
New Mexico State
Danny Bowen-Golf
Jackie Choi-Volleyball
San Jose State
Mobin Ghoury-Cross Country
Brie Marhenke-Swimming and Diving
Utah State
Trever Ball, Utah State-Cross Country/Track and Field
Zuzana Cernianska, Utah State-Volleyball
PREVIOUS KEARNEY AWARD WINNERS
2005-06
Nick Fazekas, Nevada-Basketball
Kanoe Kamana'o, Hawai`i-Volleyball
2004-05
Gabriel Wallin, Boise State-Track and Field
Jamie Southern, Fresno State-Softball
2003-04
Kirk Snyder, Nevada-Basketball
Kim Willoughby, Hawai`i-Volleyball
2002-03
Nick Watney, Fresno State-Golf
Kim Willoughby, Hawai`i-Volleyball/Basketball
2001-02
David Carr, Fresno State-Football
Stacy Prammanasudh, Tulsa-Golf
2000-01
LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU-Football
Florence Ezeh, SMU-Track and Field
1999-00
Courtney Alexander, Fresno State-Basketball
Amanda Scott, Fresno State-Softball
1998-99
Andre Miller, Utah-Basketball
Martina Moravcova, SMU-Swimming
1997-98
Lars Frolander, SMU-Swimming
Amanda Scott, Fresno State-Softball
1996-97
Keith Van Horn, Utah-Basketball
Martina Moravcova, SMU-Swimming
1995-96
Keith Van Horn, Utah-Basketball
Nina Lindenberg, Fresno State-Softball
1994-95
Stoney Case, New Mexico-Football
Suzanne Metz, Utah-Gymnastics
1993-94
Marshall Faulk, San Diego State-Football
Amy Van Dyken, Colorado State-Swimming
1992-93
Marshall Faulk, San Diego State-Football
Mikki Kane-Barton, Utah-Basketball/Volleyball
1991-92
Carlton McDonald, Air Force-Football
Anu Kalijurand, Brigham Young
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