March 1, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Vilmos Kovacs and Ukari Figgs have been named Purdue's Athletes-of-the-Month for their performances throughout February. This award is sponsored by WLFI-TV and Twin City Dodge-Chrysler-Plymouth.
Figgs, a senior on the Purdue women's basketball team, has lead the Boilermakers to a 6-0 record this month, the Big Ten Championship title, as well as their second No. 1 national ranking this year. Figgs, one of Purdue's starting gaurds, was nominated for February's athlete of the month following her performances against then #15 Penn State (21 pts., 6 reb.) and Ohio State (18 pts., 4 asst.). These two wins over conference opponents were key to the Boilers' Big Ten title. Figgs ended the month of February with 21 points and eight rebounds to lead the Boilermakers to an undefeated record in the Big Ten. Figgs has averaged 18 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in the month of February.
Kovacs, a senior on the men's swim team, had a February to remember. He began the month at the Big Ten Duals meet in Indianapolis, Ind. Kovacs won all five events that he participated in, including a Big Ten-best time of 1:58.47 in the 200 breast, which qualified him for the NCAA Championships. Kovacs time in the 200-breast is the second-fastest time in the country to date. Following this legendary performance, Kovacs won two of three events at the Boilers' following meet against Indiana. Kovacs, the defending Big Ten Champion in the 100-meter and 200-meter breast stroke, looks to take the Big Ten title again this year in the 200-breast. If Kovacs is successful, he would become only the eighth men's swimming athlete in the history of the Big Ten to take four individual Big Ten titles.
Other nominees for the award included Toyinda Smith of the women's track and field team, Carson Cunningham of the men's basketball team and Jason Silverstein of the men's wrestling team.