Courtney Ward (Bartlesville, Okla.) and Derrick Williams (St. Joseph, Mo.) were recently announced by Peru State athletic director Steve Schneider as the Bobcat Athletes of the Month for February.

For Ward, this is her second consecutive monthly honor.  Ward earned the February honor for gaining Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) First Team All-Conference recognition and for her obliteration of the Bobcat career record book.

Prior to the NAIA Division I women's national basketball tournament, Ward is ranked in the Top 50 in numerous categories.  Ward ranks first in offensive rebounds per game (5.806), fourth in total rebounds (375), sixth in total rebounds per game (12.097), 14th in defensive rebounds per game (6.290), 15th in total blocks (52), 17th in blocks per game (1.677), 24th in field goal percent (0.495), and 40th in total scoring (471). 

 In addition, Ward has firmly placed her name among the top Bobcat women's basketball players as she set one single-season record, three career records, and now ranks in the top ten in three other career categories.  Ward grabbed 375 boards this season to set the new single season rebounding record that was 357 set by Lora (White) Gulley in the 1991-'92 season.   She also now ranks first in career rebounds (1243), first in blocked shots (180), first in games played (123), third in scoring (1,515), fifth in free throws attempted (394), and fifth in free throws made (267).

Williams earned a HAAC Player of the Week honor in February as the 'Cats picked up two wins during the first week in February.  Williams led the Bobcats with 28.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 61.8% from the floor and hit all 15 of his free throw attempts.

 Recently, Williams was named to the HAAC Third Team All-Conference for his efforts in leading the Bobcats this past season.   Overall, in all games, Williams was fourth in field goal shooting percentage (47.1%), sixth in the HAAC in scoring (15.62), tenth in total scoring (453), 12th in steals per game (1.41), 12th in total steals (41), 13th in free throw shooting percentage (63.3%), 18th in assists per game (2.07), and 20th in total assists (60).

At the end of his three-year career at Peru State, Williams is now fourth on the Bobcat career scoring charts with 1,461 points.

Schneider expressed his thanks to Ward and Williams for their Bobcat careers.  Schneider said, “Courtney and Derrick have provided the Bobcat fans some exciting moments over their careers at Peru State.  We wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”