Nov. 10, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Sophomore forward Lauren Hansen has been named the America First Credit Union Utah State Student-Athlete of the Week it was announced on Monday. The USU weekly award is voted on by a state media panel.

The sophomore from Camano Island, Wash. was named to the WAC all-tournament team after scoring two goals in two matches to help lead the Aggies to their first WAC Tournament championship match. Hansen scored the game-winning goal in USU's 1-0 win against Boise State in the semifinals of the WAC Tournament. She then scored USU's only goal in its 2-1 double-overtime loss to Fresno State in the championship match.

She is the fifth soccer player to earn the honor this season. Forward Candice Clark, defender Sydne Porter and Hansen were honored in consecutive weeks from Oct. 13 to Oct. 27. Striker Shantel Flanary was honored on Sept. 8.

Hansen was also named to the all-WAC second team last week prior to the WAC Tournament.

UTAH STATE STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK NOMINATIONS

FOOTBALL - Senior linebacker Jake Hutton (Pocatello, Idaho) had a game and season-high 14 tackles in Utah State's 49-14 loss at No. 9 Boise State on Saturday. The 14 stops were two off his career-best. It was Hutton's fifth double-digit tackle outing this season and the seventh in his last 13 games, as well as the 12th of his career.

VOLLEYBALL - Freshman opposite side hitter Emily Kortsen (Hollister, Calif.) helped Utah State notch a 1-0 record last week with a four-set win against San Jose State. Against the Spartans, Kortsen hit .522 (12-0-23) as she had 12 kills and no hitting errors. She also added a career-high seven block assists in the match.

Previous Utah State Athlete of the Week Winners
November 3, 2008 - Diondre Borel, Football & Jason Holt, Cross Country
October 27, 2008 - Candice Clark, Women's Soccer
October 20, 2008 - Sydne Porter, Women's Soccer
October 13, 2008 - Lauren Hansen, Women's Soccer
October 6, 2008 - Ben Kessen, Men's Cross Country
September 29, 2008 - Christine Morrill, Volleyball
September 22, 2008 - Diondre Borel, Football
September 15, 2008 - Melissa Osterloh, Volleyball
September 8, 2008 - Shantel Flanary, Women's Soccer
September 1, 2008 - Jessie Chugg, Women's Cross Country