In this edition of Athlete of the Week, two Buffaloes are better than one.
Freshman Lexy Kresl is already turning heads on the basketball court, while senior Toney Clemons is making the most out of his
Lexy Kresl (Courtesy of CUBuffs.com)
final games at Folsom Field.
Kresl tied a team-best 14 points in the Buff’s 78-40 exhibition win against Regis University. After the game, she said that nerves were a factor but she’s excited for the season to kick into full gear.
“I was definitely a little nervous in the beginning, but I got used to it as the game went on … and it was just finally realizing that all the work is coming together and it’s finally starting,” Kresl said after the game. “I have a good feeling about this season.”
That positive attitude paid off in her collegiate debut. On Friday night against Northern Arizona, Kresl tied a school record. The 5-foot-11-inch guard made five 3-pointers in the first half, only the sixth time in program history that feat has been accomplished.
In the 84-60 win, Kresl recorded 15 points and five rebounds.
“I was definitely feeling my shot,” Kresl said about her first official game as a Buff. “I knew we needed a pick-up so I used my energy to try and get the team going.”
Head coach Linda Lappe isn’t surprised by the Arizona prep’s success.
“I thought she came out with a lot of confidence,” Lappe said. “I somehow knew she was going to play well against Northern Arizona, she knows a lot of those players,” Lappe said after the NAU game. “I wasn’t surprised that she had a great game at all. What I like about Lexy is her game doesn’t change from practice to the actual game.”
Kresl is following in her mother’s footsteps — Julie Kresl played basketball at TCU — but also has big plans for herself beyond basketball. Lexy is an integrative physiology major who says she wants to be an orthodontist.
Toney Clemons, 7, makes the catch for a 45 yard reception against the USC Trojans. (CU Independent file/Robert R. Denton)
Toney Clemons is also no stranger to sports-driven families. He has two sisters who run track at the University of Pittsburgh, a cousin in the NFL and another cousin in the WNBA.
Toney, a 6-foot-2-inch wide receiver, made his last two home games as a Buffalo memorable ones.
In CU’s 42-17 loss to Southern California, Clemons recorded his first career 100-yard game. He had 112 receiving yards on five catches and earned the Buffs’ two touchdowns.
Clemons said he felt well prepared going into the game, but wished the outcome had been different. Despite the loss, Clemons held out hope for the remaining games.
“Coach Embree is behind us,” Clemons said after the USC game. “We are determined as a senior class to go out there and leave our legacy … I have faith in what’s going to transpire. I am proud of my teammates, staff, regardless.”
Clemons and the senior class finally got to feel the best kind of positive — a win — Saturday against Arizona.
Clemons once again recorded a 100-yard receiving game, tallying up 115 yards and one touchdown. In the last three games, the Michigan transfer has caught 18 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns.
In his post-game press conference, head coach Jon Embree gushed about how important the win was for the seniors.
“Great win for our program,” Embree said. “First Pac-12 win. These seniors, they did it. That is why I brought them in [to the press conference] with me, because it is for them, it is about them. I’m proud of these guys, I love them.”
As one athlete’s journey as a Buffalo is coming to an end, another’s is just beginning.
Clemons suits up in Buff gold for the penultimate time against UCLA at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. Kresl takes the court Wednesday, Nov. 16 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Statistics and quotes courtesy of CUBuffs.com.
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Marlee Horn at Marlee.horn@colorado.edu.
