Vote for the February “Bulldog of the Month” presented by Zaxby’s

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – February in college athletics is a busy time, as winter sports wind down and spring sports kick into full gear. With all of that in mind, let's take a look back at the top performers from last month as we determine the "February Bulldog of the Month" presented by Zaxby's.

To cast your vote for the February Bulldog of the Month award, read the information below and visit the poll below. Voting will end Friday, March 11 at 11:59 a.m.

February Bulldog of the Month Poll

Baseball - Jacob Edwards - Senior - High Point, N.C.

Did not allow an earned run in 13 innings pitched in February, including a start at Virginia Tech
Held opposing hitters to a .208 batting average and struck out 16 batters
Helped Asheville notch its first win of the season by tossing eight shutout innings against Niagara on February 26

Men's Basketball – LJ Thorpe – R-Sr. – West Palm Beach, Florida

Averaged 18.6 points, 4.4 rebounds shot 50.5% from the field, 40.0% from 3-point range with 34 assists
Scored 14+ points in 7 of 8 games, 23+ three times
Ended the season with 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists in triple-overtime win over Presbyterian
Earned Big South Honorable Mention
Accumulating 1,219 points in his career, Thorpe ranks 14th at UNC Asheville in scoring in the Division I era and 23rd all-time, saving his best for last with career-highs in made free throws (55), free-throw percentage (.707)

Women's Basketball - Nadiria Evans - Senior - Gainesville, Florida

Named to the All-Big South Second Team
Averaged 21.6 points per game last month
Became Asheville's all-time leading scorer in the Division I era and became one of four Bulldogs ever to score 1,500 points and grab 500 rebounds

Swimming & Diving - Caitlin Hefner - Freshman - Mt. Holly, N.C.

Became Asheville's first-ever gold medalist at the CCSA Championships as she won the 1650 free event with a time of 16:47.40
Also notched another podium finish in the 500 free with a time of 4:57.49 that placed her second at the CCSA Championships
Helped Asheville notch its best finish ever at the CCSA Championships (3rd)

Men's Tennis – Leo Bierbaum – Sr. – Nurnburg, Germany

3-1 at No. 2 singles
4-0 in doubles, three at the No. 1 flight
Helped the team go 5-1 in February and 7-1 on the year
For the season: 5-2 at the No. 2 singles flight, having gone to the third set just once (in his lone loss). Bierbaum has twice recorded bagels (6-0) and is a combined 6-0 at the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles

Women's Tennis – Linge Steenkamp – So. – Bloemfontein, South Africa

Big South POTW for Feb. 7-13
6-0 singles record in February; five in straight sets including a 6-0, 6-0 win against NC A&T on the No. 2 court
5-0 in doubles matches in February, three of which were 6-1 wins

Men's Track & Field - Isaac Teasley - Junior - Gainesville, Georgia

Broke the school's indoor record in the 400-meter dash with a time of 48.32
Won the 400-meter dash and long jump events at the Marshall Invitational
Helped Asheville land three podium finishes in the 4x400-meter relay event in February, including a third-place nod at the Big South Indoor Track & Field Championships

Women's Track & Field - Claudia Prieto - Senior - Madrid, Spain

Was named the Big South's Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Earned All-Big South honors in the long jump at the Big South Indoor Track & Field Championships with a personal-best leap of 6.03-meters
Also set a new personal-best time in the 60-meter dash at the Championships clocking in at 7.67