Faison, Cooney nominated for Athlete of the Year
MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive featured a pair of nominees in senior Joshua Faison and junior Courtlynn Cooney for the Herff Jones Conference Carolinas Athlete of the Year Award.
The Male and Female Athlete of the Year Award is bestowed on the most outstanding male and female student-athlete for the year in the league. Per directors of athletics vote, nominations will be accepted from member institutions to only include conference-sponsored sports, and all nomination information, statistics and accomplishments are solely based on athletically-related criteria.
Faison is one of 10 Conference Carolinas student-athletes eligible for the award, which will be unveiled Thursday, June 29. Cooney is one of 12 finalists for the league award, with the winner also to be determined June 29.
A native of Clayton, Faison had a breakout senior campaign for the Trojans while garnering the 2023 Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year award. He was a national qualifier in the discus at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Colorado and a three-time USTFCCCA all-region recipient this year. Additionally, he was a three-time Conference Carolinas Champion in the shot put (indoor, outdoor) and discus. Faison shattered league records in three different events and was a six-time Conference Carolinas Athlete of the Week while being part of pair of conference championship teams.
A junior outfielder, Cooney, from Mechanicsville, Md., garnered All-American status for a second consecutive season after being a consensus all-region selection from D2CCA and NFCA. She joined exclusive company by becoming just the third player in program history to exceed 200 career hits and was named to the Tucci/NFCA Player of the Year watchlist. Cooney finished second in NCAA Division II and set a new Mount Olive single-season record with a .503 batting average. Additionally, she led the league with 36 stolen bases and ranked among the top five in the conference with 73 hits and a .526 on-base percentage.
— From University of Mount Olive Athletics
