CARMEL, Ind. - Franklin College freshman forward Erica Buening became the third player in program history to earn Newcomer of the Year honors from the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) when the league announced its post-season awards on Wednesday (Feb. 26) afternoon. 

Buening joins current teammate Jordan Coon (2023) and Jenny Cooper (2002) as the other Grizzlies to earn the league's year honor bestowed to the top rookie in the league. The Franklin-native was joined by both Coon and Taylor Cooney as Franklin's representatives on the HCAC All-Conference teams. Buening finished her rookie year with appearances in all 26 games, making 20 starts and averaging 10.0 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game on 46.3% shooting. 

Coon was named Second Team All-HCAC, the third straight year she collected all-conference honors. The Evansville, Ind.-native led Franklin in scoring with 15.5 points per game while grabbing 4.6 rebounds per night. During the season, Coon became the 16th player in program history to surpass 1,000 points for her career, and heads into her senior season ranked 14th in program history with 1,026 points. 

Cooney became a two-time honorable mention All-HCAC pick after averaging 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game during her season season. The Greensburg, Ind.-native shot 42.9% from the floor and 74.5% from the free throw line while leading the team in assists with 57 and blocks with 20.