By Pam LaFosse, McNeese State Assistant Sports Communications Director
Former Parkway star Dakota Howard has been named the Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Southland Conference after helping McNeese win the regular-season championship.
Howard is the fourth Cowgirl to be named Freshman of the Year and is the first since 2022 when teammate Kaili Chamberlin earned the honor. Howard is leading McNeese in scoring (12.9 ppg.), steals (84) field goal percent (49.5) and rebounds (6.1 rpg.). Shebalso led the Cowgirls in scoring in 20 games and recorded four double doubles. She also led the SLC in steals (84) and steals per game (2.8).
McNeese finished the regular season 27-4 overall and 21-1 in the conference.
McNeese’s Alya Guzzardo was named Coach of the Year for the second straight year and third honor in the last four years after leading McNeese to the nation’s best D1 turnaround (17 game turnaround) and win differential in the county.
Guzzardo led the Cowgirls to their first SLC regular season title since 2011, a school record 27 wins (27-4) and a conference record 21 wins (21-1).
McNeese is hosting the conference tournament. The Cowgirls received a bye to the semifinals and will play an opponent that will be determined Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.