Kyle Barone- men’s basketball
Barone may have just sealed the deal for WAC Player of the Year, as the conference’s leading rebounder and third-leading scorer had another double-double in Idaho’s Saturday win against Texas State. The Vandal win clinched the No. 6 seed in the upcoming WAC Tournament, much of that due to Barone’s 26-point 14-rebound outing. Barone went 12-for-17 from the field, made both of his free throw attempts and blocked three shots. He’s had double doubles in 11 of Idaho’s 17 conference games this season.
Christina Salvatore- women’s basketball
As one of three freshman starters, Salvatore is becoming one of the many reasons the young Vandals have been so successful in conference play thus far. On Thursday, the conference’s second-best 3-point shooter broke Idaho’s record for 3s made in a season when Salvatore hit No. 76 and 77 in the Vandal’s win against Texas-San Antonio. She would have broken a record originally set by Susan Wolf in the 1998-99 season, when Wolf made 77 3s.
“I happened to break the record tonight but I have to give the credit to my teammates,” Salvatore said. “I don’t do it on my own, it’s their screens and their passes. I have a pretty easy job, I just shoot the ball, but it feels pretty good to make a positive contribution.” In the game, Salvatore finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Saturday, the Southern California native scored 12 of Idaho’s first 18 points with four 3-point shots and would lead the Vandals with 15 total points.
Paige Hunt- swimming and diving
Hunt was named the 2013 WAC Diver of the Year at the conclusion of the WAC Championships in San Antonio. A junior, Hunt reeled off impressive performance after impressive performance during the conference meet and despite a third-place finish in the platform diving competition, she was able to top all competitors in the 3-meter race and finish second in the 1-meter dive. With 234.30 points on the platform, Hunt set an Idaho record, one of 12 that were set by the Vandals during the meet.
Hannah Kiser- indoor track and field
For Kiser, it’s simply a waiting game, as the Idaho distance specialist awaits the field for the NCAA meet. With eyes set on a few records, Kiser ran the mile at the Husky Last Chance Qualifier meet Friday in Seattle, and broke both the current WAC and Idaho record in the event. Having already qualified for nationals, Kiser ran a time of 4:37.55, which topped the conference record (4:39.95) set in 2007 as well as the Idaho record (4:40.60), set in 2006. “Running the mile for Hannah was more of a tune-up for nationals, and a chance to see if she could beat the WAC and school record,” Idaho director of track and field Wayne Phipps said. “She was able to accomplish both, and win the race.”