Athletes of the Week

Korbin McDonald | Vandal Nation Manager

Michelle Kim — freshman — women’s golf

During the first week of August, Idaho women’s golf recruit Michelle Kim won the Canadian Junior Girls Championship at Deer Park Golf Course in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Kim signed with Idaho last November and has joined the team for this upcoming season. Kim finished six-under par during the four-day tournament, which was two strokes ahead of the second-place finisher. With the win, Kim earned a spot in the 2016 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and exemptions into three 2016 Canadian Women’s tour events.

 

Kayla Watanabe — freshman — soccer

It didn’t take long for Kayla Watanabe to make an impact for the Idaho soccer team. The team was in Missoula, Montana, last Friday for its first game of the season and Watanabe’s first game of her collegiate career. In the 48th minute, and the Vandals down 1-nill, the freshman from Honolulu, Hawaii, received a pass from sophomore Olivia Baggerly and slotted it past the goalkeeper to tie up the game. Idaho went on to win 3-1.

 

Russell Siavii — junior — football

Russell Siavii has been a ball hawk throughout fall camp. The junior safety from Wahaiwa, Hawaii, went on a four-practice stretch where he had at least one interception per practice. In the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp, Siavii added to the total with another interception and added three tackles, too. Siavii is expected to be the team’s starter at safety in Mike Breske’s new 3-4 defensive scheme.

 

Elijhaa Penny — senior — football

Over the course of last season and throughout the offseason, Penny said he made it an emphasis to cut down on his weight. The 6-foot-2 and 234-pound running back is now 20 pounds lighter than he was when he first arrived to Moscow. The new look has helped his game improve. Throughout fall camp, Penny has continued to be the bruising running back he was last season, but also appears to be lighter on his feet and has become a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. In the team’s first scrimmage of fall camp, Penny rushed for 43 yards and two touchdowns, while catching two passes for 32 yards.

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