Aggies Horton, Jones named top WAC athletes
NMSU stars add to slew of awards
DENVER — New Mexico State junior softball player Kelsey Horton and senior men’s basketball player Jemerrio Jones have swept the 2017-18 Western Athletic Conference Joe Kearney awards, given annually to the top male and female athletes in the league.
Horton, the 2018 WAC Player of the Year and tournament MVP, led the Aggies to both the WAC regular-season and tournament titles this season. She was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) first team All-Pacific Region honoree and broke the all-time WAC record for home runs per game in WAC play at 0.67. A two-time WAC Hitter of the Week, Horton she set singleseason records for home runs (25) and total bases (154). Her 25 homers rank second all-time in WAC history (first in the bat testing era).
“Everyone who excels in Division I has talent, but Kelsey worked every drop of her talent from a young age with relentless pursuit to be her best. She has done the same thing as an Aggie,” said NMSU softball coach Kathy Rodolph.
The 2018 WAC Player of the Year and WAC tournament MVP, Jones led the Aggies to both the WAC regular-season and WAC tournament titles. The Memphis, Tenn., native was named first team All-WAC and to the WAC All-Defensive Team. During the WAC Tournament, he broke the singlegame rebounding record with 22 against Seattle University. He also broke the tournament rebounding record with 55 in three games, surpassing the previous mark of 53 set in four games in 2005.
“He accomplished these amazing milestones while being (6-foot-5) and 205 pounds,” said NMSU coach Chris Jans. “Although Jemerrio’s numbers are eye-popping based on the raw statistics, his leadership, playing demeanor and sportsmanship set him apart.”