Women's Ball Gets Two Y Awards

PROVO, Utah -- The 2011 Cougar Club Y Awards were presented Tuesday, April 12, to pay tribute to top student-athletes for their efforts on and off the field. Among the recipients of the awards were women's basketball players Haley Hall and Jennifer Hamson.

The ceremony will be televised nationally on BYUTV on May 14 at a time not yet determined.

Y Award winners and nominees are selected by a vote of their peers and represent the finest accomplishments and performances of the past 12 months.

During that time, BYU teams have won nine Mountain West Conference championships. Individually, Cougar student-athletes have earned 153 All-Conference citations while collecting six MWC Athlete of the Year awards and two Freshman of the Year honors. Cougar coaches have garnered six Coach of the Year accolades. A total of 223 BYU athletes were named to the Academic All-Mountain West team, more than any other Mountain West Conference school.

The Cougars’ success has also been recognized on a national level, with six BYU student-athletes earning All-America honors and four earning Academic All-America recognition. One Cougar – senior Jimmer Fredette – recently earned his sport’s highest honor as the men’s basketball National Player of the Year.

The following are the awards received by women's basketball players Haley Hall and Jennifer Hamson.

Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport Award – Haley Hall, Women’s Basketball

Given to the female athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and in life; presented in memory of Dr. Leona B. Holbrook

- A two-year starter and a three-year co-captain earning two MWC Academic All-Conference citations, two Honorable Mention All-MWC accolades and a Third-Team All-MWC award

- Recorded 27 double-figure games and led the team in the steals category, ranked second in assists, and made the most three-pointers; also had one double-double with 19 points and 11 assists

- Her single-game career totals include scoring 24 points, grabbing nine rebounds, putting up six three-pointers, dishing out 11 assists and making seven steals

Female Rookie of the Year – Jennifer Hamson, Women’s Basketball

Given to the female freshman student-athlete who contributes the most in her true freshman or redshirt freshman year

- Started all league games while tallying 10 double-figure games, including five in MWC contests

- Had season and career highs with 19 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks

- Ranked third on the team in rebounds and led the team in blocks while recording one double-double with 16 points and 13 boards