Scheels Cobber Athletes Of The Week

MOORHEAD, Minn. (12/15/15)—This week the Scheels Cobber Athletes of the Week are two seniors who used their hard work and determination in winning performances.

Wrestler Ben Cousins won two matches last week while women’s basketball player Olivia Johnson helped the Cobbers earn two key MIAC games.

Scheels is pleased to congratulate the Cobber Athletes of the Week award winners. Each week the Concordia sports information department will choose a deserving Cobber male and female athlete of the week.

Scheels has been a longtime supporter of Concordia athletics and is excited to continue their showcasing of the great passion that Cobber athletes bring to the game. Like Cobber athletes, Scheels has a long tradition of quality commitment to athletics. The first Scheels store was opened in 1902 and throughout the years the company has backed local athletic programs. Today, Scheels is a 25-store operation with stores in 10 states and was recently voted the best sporting goods store by Sports Illustrated Kids magazine.

MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
BEN COUSINS – Sr., (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS)
Ben Cousins won both of his matches during Concordia’ s two dual meets during the week. His biggest victory of the week came against defending NCAA Division II national champion St. Cloud State. Cousins was the only Cobber wrestler to score a win against the Huskies.

In his win at 157 against Travis Holt of St. Cloud State, Cousins used his stellar defense and a takedown and reversal at the end of the second and start of the third periods to gain the 4-2 win.

Cousins backed up his win on Wednesday with a pin fall on Friday against St. Olaf. The pin was Cousins’ first of the season and helped Concordia gain a 46-6 win over the Oles.

Cousins has now won five straight matches and is 12-9 on the season. He has not lost to a Division III wrestler this season with nine of his losses coming against NCAA Division I or II opponents.

WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
OLIVIA JOHNSON – Sr. (Walcott, N.D./Richland HS)
Olivia Johnson averaged 12.5 points and 12.0 rebounds  and went 12-for-13 from the free throw line in Concordia’s two wins last week. She scored in double figures in both games and had a career rebound game on Wednesday at St. Olaf.

Johnson had a team-high 15 points in the Cobbers’ 50-41 win against the Oles. While her point total led the Cobbers it was her play around the basket that set her apart. Johnson hauled down a career-high 16 rebounds which was the most by a Cobber in a single game since 2010 when Alexandra Lippert had 17 against Gustavus.

Johnson backed up her 15-point, 16-rebound performance against St. Olaf by scoring 10 points and eight rebounds in Concordia’s 52-48 win over Augsburg. Her eight rebounds marked the fourth straight game she had grabbed eight or more rebounds.

Johnson currently leads the MIAC in total rebounds and defensive rebounds. She now has 470 career rebounds and needs only 30 to join the 500-rebound club.


Past Scheels Cobber Athletes of the Week
Dec. 8 - Alex Reichle and Tori Davis
Dec. 1 - Dylan Alderman and Jess Nelson
Nov. 24 - Hunter SantAmour and Annie Herkenhoff
Nov. 17 - Jakob Stageberg and Andrea Klug
Nov. 10 - Brandon Zylstra and Anna Westmark
Nov. 3 - Derek Rachel and Kaya Baker
Oct. 27 - Dami Adegunle and Heather Beaner
Oct. 20 - Chad Johnson and Ally Jones