March 28, 2024

USU Eastern names Bailey and Loftus as Athletes of the Year

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Cameron Bailey, Orem, was named male athlete of the year with Madison Loftus, South Jordan, named female athlete of the year at the USU Eastern Athletic Awards banquet.

Bailey, a 6-foot-7-inch sophomore who played basketball at Timpanogos High School, was named to the All-Region Scenic West Athletic Conference second team.

Playing every game for the Eagles, he was on the court 885 minutes, scoring 332 points and hitting 92-free throws. He led the conference in rebounding, averaging 8.9 per game; second in the conference in field-goal percentage with a .509 percentage and eighth in the conference in free-throw percentage at .548. Bailey signed a letter of intent to play at Westminster College next fall.

Loftus, a 5-foot-8-inch freshman shooting guard who played basketball at Bingham High School, was named to the 2016-17 All-Region SWAC first team and honorable mention All-American.

In 32-games played, she played 950 minutes, averaging 29.7 minutes per game while scoring 308 points. She led the conference in three-point-field goals per game making 85 for a 2.7 per game average and was second in conference if three-throw percentage, making 90-free throws for a .857 percentage. She averaged 3.6 rebounds per game and had 88 assists. She will continue as a USU Eastern Eagle next fall and winter.

With a 3.97 GPA, Austin Fietkau, a soccer player and graduate of Pleasant Grove High School, received the male academic award. With a perfect 4.0 GPA, Harlee Willoughby, a women’s basketball player and graduate of Delta High School, received the female academic award.

The community service award went to Allie Kittell, a volleyball player from San Pedro High School in San Pedro, Calif.

Athletic Director Chelsey Warburton presented her mentor and friend, David Paur with a Lifetime Achievement Award “for his years of contribution, service and success as both a coach and athletic director.”     

“This was a banner year for Utah State Eastern athletics. We are so proud of our student athletes and all their accomplishments,” said Greg Dart, vice chancellor of student affairs and enrollment management.